Thursday, July 30, 2009

Gun Violence

Danielle Welcome
Junior
Martin Luther King High School


Gun violence is a growing problem in our community that needs to stop. Being violent is a state of mind, once you think positive your actions will follow. When I hear about someone getting shot or killed by gunfire, it hurts, whether I knew them or not. Everyone is capable of achieving something great but because of gun violence most people don’t live long enough to ever get the chance. Gun violence is a complete waste of time. Personally I think it’s stupid. People who participate in gun violence will either end up shot or in jail themselves. You can tell most of them accept that fate because nothing is changing. When you think about it, gun violence is never worth the risk of facing the consequences that are sure to follow.
What gives anyone the right to take someone’s life? It’s not yours to take. I think if people spent less time shooting people and more time helping people the world would be a better place. Gun violence is never the right solution to any problem, there is always a better and safer way. The problem is when people will realize that. In 1999 alone about 10,096 people were murdered by guns in the U.S. Here’s something to think about, gun violence rates continue to increase because so many people have access to guns. 43% of households in the U.S. with children and teens had at least one gun. Also, a gun that is kept in a home is 22 times more likely to kill a friend or family member than it is used to be used against an intruder. People say they need guns for protection but they sometimes end up hurting the people they are trying to protect.
I don’t think it should be legal for anyone to carry or own a gun no matter how old, how mature, or how responsible. No matter who you are you will face a situation that might cause you to make the wrong decision and someone might get hurt. I believe that actions speak louder than words so once people make wiser decisions and act more positively more people will be influenced by actions and change their ways. Some people say gun violence is all they know because it’s what they grew up around, but it shouldn’t be. Gun violence is a never-ending cycle,

AND IT NEEDS TO STOP!!!

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