Tag Archives: safety

Control the People; Not the Guns

One of the most debated and most controversial topics that is talked about right now is gun control. This topic is debated on so heavily, because of the hazards that guns provide. Ever since the 10 amendments were created, the second amendment has stated “…the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” This opens up the door for discussion, because on one hand, guns are dangerous, while on the other hand, guns are necessary for self defense. Many people resort to the second amendment and say that it contains the supreme laws of the United States, and that the right to bear arms cannot be touched upon. Others argue that the second amendment is outdated and that guns are more dangerous than ever before. No matter what side you are on, the doors are always open for debate.

average-firearms-per-100-people

From a safety standpoint, guns should totally be eradicated. Unmonitored firearms have been the cause behind horrific events, such as Sandy Hook. America also has one of the highest death rates involving firearms. In 2014 alone, there has been 10,945 murders involving firearms. This number only includes homicides. However, suicides take up about 62% of all gun related deaths. When put into perspective, suicides involving firearms take up 49% of all suicides. From hearing this evidence, most people want guns to be banned, or have some form of restriction on them. On the other hand, guns are a form of self defense. Guns put your mind at peace, knowing that you have the means to protect yourself. If this basic right that takes the form of our second amendment is infringed upon, how would the people have the means to protect themselves? In 2012, there were 1.2 million criminal cases that involved murder, burglary, and more. In other terms, there were 1.2 million opportunities for a victim to use a gun as a form of self defense.

Personally, I believe that the power to purchase, use, and own a gun should continue to be a right. With rising criminal threats in America, many people need a form of protection, which also provides mental tranquility. A gun is just that. Of course, not everybody should be able to purchase a gun. Background checks should be required, to ensure that the gun is going to a safe location. Additionally, guns should be protected by something such as a safe. This will reduce the chances of someone using a gun in a harmful way to others. Another factor in owning a gun that I believe to be important is the education behind it. I compare this to obtaining a driving license. Nobody can drive a car without proper education. This should apply to guns to prevent accidental injuries. The education should entail how a gun works, how to implement safety features, and how to use a gun. While the second amendment may be outdated, the need for a gun is stronger than ever. Guns provide self defense for almost anyone, and could prevent many criminal invasions from being successful. With criminal activities being more frequent than in the past, the average citizen needs the means to stay safe in their personal belongings.

I have come to the conclusion that the guns themselves are not the problem. It is the people who choose to use guns against others. This relates to why I believe that a background check is necessary. Does the person requesting for a firearm have any mental disabilities? Do they live with anyone dangerous that could obtain a gun? Do they have any criminal activity on their record? These questions are supplemental when determining if someone can own a gun. Guns alone do not hurt others. Guns provide the opportunity for people who want to use physical assaulting and violence on others. As long as people are responsibly using guns for self defense, or even recreational activities, they should be permitted.

-Xavier 

Are Schools Really as Safe as They Say?

There has been more than 30 school shootings since Columbine in 1999, but only about 15 throughout the rest of the world since the Columbine shooting. With school shootings becoming more common in the US, what are schools doing to be safer for students and staff? Some schools have just begun to practice lockdown drills in case of emergency and locking school doors during the day.  Before December, many schools left their doors unlocked during the day, free for people to come and go. Some schools in Ohio are required to give a floor plan to police, and 58 schools have failed to do so. A bill is trying to be passed in Congress called the School Safety Enhancement Act of 2013. The bill is trying to ensure that schools can get the money they need for school safety.

In the wake of the Newtown school shooting, many schools all over the country are reconsidering their safety plan. But why did it take the lives of children for schools to realize they weren’t safe? Even this past week in Connecticut a five year old was able to get out of his kindergarten class and walk all the way home. In the same school, a young girl was missing for about 45 minutes before found in her sisters classroom. Schools claim to be taking more safety measures, but if a school cannot even keep track of all it’s student, what would happen if everyone were to be evacuated? Here in Cheshire, we have been practicing lockdown drills in schools for years, long before Newtown. Even though many schools don’t have many safety measures, it is better late than never to keep students and staff safe in school.

~Carolynn Pechmann

Why The Roads are Safer.

After 60 years of constant technological advancements in car safety precautions and reduction of possible hazards, results are finally showing. After a recent report made by the US department of transportation (also referred to as DOT) fatalities due to car accidents  dropped to 32,367 in the year 2011. That is a drop of 1.9% since 2010, which is also the smallest amount of accidents amount since 1949. One of the main reasons for this drop is new technological advancements in various aspects of cars, including airbags and seatbelts. Other advancements in safety include:  a lane departure warning: a system that alerts drivers when they drift out of their lanes, electronic stability control:  a system that brakes certain wheels if a car is off course, collision warning: a system which alerts the driver if traffic ahead slows down or stops, and brakes for the driver if necessary. Other advancements include: blind zone warning: alerts the driver if another vehicle has entered their “blind zone”, and adaptive headlights: headlights that turn in the direction that the front wheels turn, helping light up curves and turns where visibility is reduced.  The national highway traffic safety administration advises that drivers should not be less cautious when driving, because although fatality numbers are dropping, they are still high in other categories like biker accidents caused by cars.

If technological advancements continue to be developed at an astoundingly fast rate, then I think we will see a continuously large decrease in the numbers. As new cars continue to be developed, they are built with the common safety systems but more are being developed. In my opinion it really depends on the driver to drive safely, but that is not to say that these systems won’t help. Already, thousands of accidents have been prevented using this technology helping drivers unaware they are in danger be more alert. I also believe the reason the numbers are still so high is that many cars on the road are not so new and don’t have these advancements yet.  As time passes by and newer safer cars are on the road, the numbers should be minimal. This is a long term issue, but overtime it can be reduced to the lowest possible amount.

~Richard Sarria