Students respond to questions over gun control
Alexandra Hemenway, CT News Reporter
April 26 2007
After last week's shootings, many people, both on and off the Virginia Tech campus started to question the current laws that apply to the buying and selling of guns in the United States.
"What happened last week was a tragedy," said sophomore university studies major Joshua Westrom, "But people should have the right to defend themselves."
Some students believe that all Americans should have the right to bear arms since it is in the Constitution.
"I absolutely believe that Americans should have the right to own guns," said freshman Katie Richter, "It is in the Constitution after all."
Others say that this right is not necessary, and that the purchasing of guns actually is more harmful than beneficial.
"I heard that the (National Rifle Association) released a statement that if more students had been carrying guns, then the shooter would not have been able to kill as many people as he did," said freshman university studies major Hillary McCain, "I think that's ridiculous."
Those students that believe that people should have the right to carry a gun say that it will protect themselves from potentially dangerous situations.
"Of course we should have the right to defend ourselves," Westrom said. "If you get rid of guns in this country you'll only really succeed in taking the guns away from the law-abiding citizens, they'll still be in the hands of the criminals."
Students who opposed this view argue that more guns only equates to more violence in our country.
"I used to live in England, where there are no guns, and you feel so much safer over there," McCain said, "I moved here two years ago and even seeing police officers with guns makes me nervous."
Perhaps the most popular argument given by those who support the right to purchase guns was that if someone really wants to hurt others, they will find a way regardless of whether or not they have access to a gun.
"If someone is that disturbed they will find a way to harm as many people as they want to," Richter said, "It's really terrible that the shooter was able to get a gun, but people will find ways to commit violence crimes regardless of guns."
Many students agree that gun laws in the state of Virginia should be much stricter.
"Maybe if there were more substantial mental health checks violent people would be less likely of getting a gun." Westrom said.
Richter agreed.
"Maybe the laws should have more ways to check the background of someone who is trying to buy a gun, however it the person has a clean slate then they should be able to choose what they want," she said.
Many students at Virginia Tech have different opinions about gun control, but remain united through this time of grief.