GettyIn the aftermath of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Florida, the conversation regarding America’s gun laws continues with renewed passion.
Some Americans believe they have a right to own firearms for protection purposes; often citing the Second Amendment which states: ‘the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.’
However, other Americans are fighting for greater gun control; alarmed at the potential for deadly violence which can and is wielded by some of those carrying firearms.
Every society has a duty to protect the lives of its citizens and tragedies such as the Florida shooting, should give politicians pause to reflect upon whether this duty is being upheld.
PAFollowing the massacre, Los Angeles attorney Nathan W. Gabbard tweeted about gun control in relation to the ongoing debate over abortion in America:
Let’s rename ‘school’ as ‘uterus’ so maybe Republican lawmakers will want to do something about the children dying inside them.
Abortion is another contentious issue in the USA.
In January 2018, President Donald Trump addressed anti-abortion protesters at Washington’s National Mall where he stated:
As you all know, Roe v. Wade has resulted in some of the most permissive abortion laws anywhere in the world.
President Trump went on to discuss the anti-abortion measures already taken by his administration, telling protesters:
Because of you, tens of thousands of Americans have been born and reached their full, God-given potential.
Let’s rename ‘school’ as ‘uterus’ so maybe Republican lawmakers will want to do something about the children dying inside them.
— Nathan G (@nwg83) February 15, 2018
However, not everybody agrees with the president’s pro-life stance. Nathan’s tweet resonated with plenty of people, and quickly went viral – at the time of writing, it has been favourited almost 500,000 times.
One person said:
That’s weird you said that. I was just wondering if we called shooting victims fetuses, would the pro gun people want to do something then?
While another person tweeted:
Brilliant idea!! Maybe then they’ll get it! It boggles the mind as to their logic that an in utero embryo has more ‘right to life’ than a school child.
Maybe we should add to their pro life signs: ‘at any age.’
That's weird you said that. I was just wondering if we called shooting victims fetuses, would the pro gun people want to do something then?
— Cyndi Featherman (@FeathCyndi) February 15, 2018
— Mimi (@auntymimi69) February 15, 2018
They care sooooooo much about aborting children, while neglecting the protection and safety of the ones we have here?!!!!??
— Sammanntha ? (@Rumpunch718) February 17, 2018
Yep… pic.twitter.com/rkArEJsohp
— Nana Chris (@byler_byler) February 15, 2018
Here is a big problem. We had a start to fixing some of the gun problems. But then @ChuckGrassley and @realDonaldTrump shredded a small #MentalIllness restriction to gun access. pic.twitter.com/lszOfp7NfC
— Nana Chris (@byler_byler) February 16, 2018
That’s an ad for a law school in my home if SF btw. And I couldn’t be more proud. pic.twitter.com/imR5BcIX0t
— Christopher Vasquez (@crv716) February 17, 2018
Brilliant idea!! Maybe then they'll get it! It boggles the mind as to their logic that an in utero embryo has more "right to life" than a school child. Maybe we should add to their pro life signs: "at any age".
— John's Mum (@EarthMother921) February 15, 2018
— RCD (@AlvinOscarSam) February 15, 2018
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting is the eighteenth to have occurred at an American school this year and is the third deadliest in US history.
Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this tragedy.
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.