On Sunday, August 26, 2018, a shooting occurred at a video game tournament in Jacksonville, FL. In this shooting, three people, including the gunman, lost their lives. The gunman, identified as David Katz, injured eleven more people. Nine of the eleven injured were shot. The motive of the shooter remains unknown.
Florida Governor Rick Scott spoke on the incident, stating that change needs to take place. He also stated that there has to be a solution to all the gun violence. As Mayor Lenny Curry said, “We have faced an occurrence that is all too common.”
Just two days before the shooting at the game tournament, there was another shooting in Jacksonville after a high school football game. This shooting left one dead and two injured.
The state of Florida is having their primary election Tuesday, August 27. Since these shootings, five of the Democratic candidates running for governor have decided to push gun control even harder than they were before, while two Republican candidates cancelled events in which they were going to campaign.
Many people who were at the tournament spoke out about the shooting. One person asked “How long is it going to take for us to get guns off the street?” Another said they weren’t expecting their weekend of playing video games to turn into a mass shooting.
Should gun laws be more strict? Are guns the issue, or are people the issue? Why are shootings happening so often? How can they be stopped?
I personally think that people are the issue with these shootings. A gun cannot shoot by itself. I do however feel that we should require people to have proper gun safety classes and permits to possess a gun.
ReplyDeletePeople are the issue. A gun cannot shoot itself. Making gun laws more strict will conflict with the constitution. Shootings are becoming more and more violent because the people are becoming braver. Gun shooting cant be stopped but maybe prevented with more people having a conceal and carry. - Madison S.
ReplyDeleteGun laws should be more strict. Both the people and the guns are the issue. If a child is addicted to their phone, you're going to take the phone away. Same as if a person uses a gun incorrectly, you're going to take it away. Shootings are happening so often because people on the news and in the media are showcasing people who do these shootings. Don't give them attention. -Doug D.
ReplyDeleteStricter gun laws should be put in place. We as a country should also put more emphasis on diagnosing and treating mental illness rather than only selectively bringing it up to make an argument. Shootings are happening more often because people see these events in the media and form ideas. -Bethany F.
ReplyDeleteI personally think the gun is the issue. I am aware a gun cannot shoot itself, however if anyone in the world can get a gun through simple ways, guns are the issue. That is also why I think shootings are happening so often, anyone can get military grade weapons without breaking a sweat. I think these events could stop by enforcing background checks when purchasing a firearm of any kind, and by not allowing anyone to buy a weapon designed for war.
ReplyDelete-Graysen G.