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The Pitch

The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch

The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch

Gun Control Legislation: Why was it shot down?

Gun+Control+Legislation%3A+Why+was+it+shot+down%3F

Newtown, Aurora, Lanza, Holmes, “The Dark Knight.” Each term listed is not just a name, movie or a place; they are all words related to massive shootings that have taken place in the United States during the year of 2012. After each one of these shootings, there have been protests and lobbying of Congress to pass gun control legislation. Recently, a bill authorizing comprehensive background checks to buy guns at gun shows and over the Internet reached the Senate, and died on the Senate floor in a 54-46 vote.

The recently killed bill was the first legitimate piece of gun legislation involving background checks to finally reach the Senate, and Americans are disappointed, including the President, who said, “All in all, this was a pretty shameful day for Washington.” Sophomore Emily Lavine expressed her disappointment and confusion concering the incident.

“I felt let down and confused,” she said. “[The legislation] was very reasonable and they didn’t pass it. It doesn’t make sense.”

Sophomore Bradley Stein also felt let down by the failure to pass the bill.

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“I felt scared and then angry,” he said. “Background checks are necessary, no matter what the circumstance. They’re needed in all cases.”

Many Americans share the same feelings. According to the New York Times and other major news sources, recent polls and public surveys have showed that 90 percent of American citizens, including gun owners, support background checks. Even the President showed grief and emotion when he heard that the legislation died in the Senate. While their constituents have shown overwhelming support for background checks, Congress still hasn’t reached an agreement to pass legislation authorizing more extensive background checks. This may be due to the fact Congress has not been able to effectively work together, with a Republican House and Democratic Senate, as most of the time, bills proposed that address this topic are killed or filibustered by the other party.

Gun control is a very controversial topic in this country and gun advocates across the country have publicly fought it. One of the largest gun advocates is the National Rifle Association (NRA), which has publicly denounced gun control, and instead called for more guns.

After the Newtown shooting, Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President of the NRA, stated, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” He also called on Congress to “put armed police officers in every single school in this nation,” which is another statement that has received many mixed feelings by the American people.

Other opponents of gun control have stated that people who commit mass shootings will still be able to get around the gun laws and commit crimes, so there is no point in penalizing law abiding gun owners. They also say gun control would be ineffective. Supporters of gun control claim it will decrease the number of deaths due to gun violence in this country.

Stein is a gun control supporter and thinks that gun control is necessary to ensure order and prevent killings.

“Less gun control will lead to more shootings,” he said. “If regulations aren’t enacted then there is nothing to stop [them].” Lavine understands this and thinks that, like Stein, gun control will help America. She also believes that eventually, the American public will agree.

“Humanity cannot survive without gun control,” she said. “While it looks like it is a lost cause, legislation will definitely pass in the future, I’m sure of it.”

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About the Contributor
Izzy Salant, Print News Editor
Junior Isaac Salant, known as Izzy, is excited to be on his second year of Pitch staff. He is the Print News Editor after being the Print Assistant News Editor & Online News Co-Editor last year. He has had a passion for journalism for a while and has a journalism background as his father is a reporter for Bloomberg News. Aside from The Pitch, Izzy likes baseball and acting, takes Tae Kwon Do and is involved with Live at WJ, where he performs comedy and magic. Additionally, Izzy hopes to be a part of WJ S*T*A*G*E, and is an anchor on The Daily Lineup, where he is frequently known to mess up.
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