CNN reported that there has been an average of one school shooting per week in 2018. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, this statistic is universally not okay. We ask, “why does this keep happening?” It’s not because our schools aren’t protected enough. It’s not strictly because the shooter was mentally unstable, either. Personally, I don’t believe there is a primary issue as to why shootings continue to occur, and each mass shooting is brought on by a large array of factors. But, if school safety truly is our #1 priority, providing stricter gun laws must be America’s first step of a preventative action plan.

I wish it didn’t have to come to this. I want responsible people to be able to exercise their rights, protect their homes or hunt, since those are the commonly used reasons. The truth is, they just don’t, because school shootings are still happening. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the Columbine shooters, got their guns from a friend, who got it from unlicensed sellers, according to the Violence Policy Center. Nikolas Cruz legally bought his AR-15-style rifle at Sunrise Tactical Supply in Florida before killing 17 people at his school. Adam Lanza killed 26 people, mostly children, at Sandy Hook Elementary School after stealing his mother’s legally obtained, large collection of guns. A responsible person bought a gun legally and it still ended up in the hands of Adam Lanza. Someone like Nikolas Cruz was able to pass a background check and walk away with a gun. According to the New York Times, a vast majority of guns used in 19 recent mass shootings were bought legally and with a federal background check. All I’m arguing is that we need to make guns less accessible. How has this not happened yet? Children need to be protected, not the National Rifle Association.

I’m aware that banning guns entirely is an extreme request. I’m aware that drugs are illegal and people still get ahold of them, if you would like to go that route. Drugs do fall into the wrong hands, yes. But look at the 2.2 million Americans who are currently incarcerated for drug crimes. The same effect would happen if we mandated guns, and maybe even prevent a future school shooting. Guns aren’t going to disappear, that’s clear by now. After so many school shootings there is only one answer. History continues to repeat itself, and because of this, regulations must be put in place before yet another shooting happens again.

Whether guns were bought, stolen or sold illegally, they still ended up in the wrong hands. And because of this, I just don’t see how they can continue to function in our society.