My Experience with Gun Violence Perspectives 4

One of my best childhood friends was about 200 feet away from the shooting at the University of Virginia last November. He texted me updates right after as he barricaded himself in a room and hid in the corner. I remember the intense fear I had for a friend who was many miles away and feeling that there was no way for me to help. All I could do was check Twitter and see the hundreds of tweets every minute about the situation. As I stayed on Twitter, it was shocking to see how the debate about gun reform immediately began to dominate the feed. This was especially upsetting considering that the gunman was still at large, and important tweets informing students of necessary safety information were being lost in a sea of debate and argument.

This was not the first time in my life that I had a close experience with gun violence. When I was eight, I was at a dress rehearsal for a ballet recital when a gunman was spotted entering the facility where we were performing. It was terrifying being put on lockdown in my snowflake costume, as we waited for any sort of update on the situation. While there ended up being no emergency, I often think about this incident and how scary it was to know we were near a dangerous person with a firearm.

Looking back to middle and high schools, my peers and I always had a background awareness of the potential for a school shooter. This fear was amplified after the Parkland shooting in 2018, which really drove home the reality of gun violence in America. I remember the somber nature of my high school in the days following Parkland, and how my friends and teachers discussed escape and survival strategies in case a gunman ever came. I especially remember the fear I felt when one teacher explained how the circular layout of my high school would make it especially easy for a gunman to navigate. This discussion opened my eyes to how truly defenseless students are to weapons of mass destruction.

I know that I cannot single handedly solve the problem of gun violence in America. However, I also know that raising my voice and encouraging others to think and act on this matter is crucial. It is especially important to continue advocating because many people have simply become numb to gun violence in the United States. As soon as there is a shooting, an immediate debate about gun rights ignites, when I think a far more appropriate response is to take time to reflect and mourn. The instant politicization is especially upsetting after a mass shooting, when it appears that the posturing of gun rights advocates is nothing more than a reactive response to squelch any possibility of meaningful change.

The sad reality of gun violence in America is that no tragedy ever seems to inspire real reform. It is tragic knowing that the

Meet the Editors

Stella Mackler ‘26

Co-Editor in Chief

I am an intended environmental science major and Arab studies minor. One of my main characteristics is being passive aggressive in google docs.

Favorite Commons Meal: Tuscan Roasted Cauliflower at the power plant.

McKinley Lettre ‘24

Co-News Editor

I am a junior political science major and English minor from Bethseda, Maryland. I like to run and ski.

Favorite Commons Meal: Salmon Bowls and Tomato Soup bar.

Arshi Husain ‘26

Features Editor

I am from Islamabad, Pakistan. I am an intended economics major and am so excited to be bringing you new stories.

Favorite Commons Meal: Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Bilal Razzak ‘25

Co-Politics Editor

I am a part of Sigma Epsilon, the tour guide program, and club tennis. I am excited to bring you all some riveting politics stories!

Favorite Commons Meal: Salmon

Katherine Marshall ‘26

Arts and Culture Editor

I am a first year from Atlanta, Georgia.

Favorite Commons Meal: Commons eggs and crispy tots.

Cameron Krakowiak ‘24

Co-Sports Editor

An avid sports enthusiast.

Favorite Commons Meal: Chicken Parm and Mac & Cheese.

Anika Banerjee ‘24

Co-Editor in Chief

I am a political science and communication studies double major, from Boulder, Colorado. I also have back problems from hunching over the Davidsonian laptops.

Favorite Commons Meal: Banana pudding!

Abby Brissitt ‘26

Co-News Editor

I am really good at speed walking. At present, I am over investing myself in knitting and regretting my choice to sign up for Twitter’s “What’s Trending” notifications.

Favorite Commons Meal: Life Cereal!

Ian Macel ‘24

Co-Politics Editor

I am a political science major. Outside of the Davidsonian, I am in jazz band and enjoy hanging out with my friends!

Favorite Commons Meal: Breakfast Sandwich

Avo Reid ‘25

Perspectives Editor

I love Commons. Orzo salad at the salad bar takes me places I have never been.

Favorite Commons Meal: Butter Chicken at herbs and spices.

Victor Taylor ‘24

Co-Sports Editor

A fan of sports!

Favorite Commons Meal: Chicken Parm.

Stephen Walker ‘26

Living Davidson Editor next mass shooting is certain to occur because our nation lacks effective gun control laws. And it is demoralizing to realize that there is very little citizens can do to establish these laws because the gun lobby holds so much power over our legislative branch. Solutions are not easy, but certainly it is wrong that the entire country should live in fear because a relatively small number of gun advocates believe that AR13s should be in general circulation. Certainly, some sensible gun reforms should be possible.

I am from Haverford, Pennsylvania and am hoping to major in English.

Favorite Commons Meal: Eating at commons makes me sad, really sad. Maybe Chicken Tenders.

The night of the UVA shooting was my friend’s birthday. He spent that night hiding in a corner, fearing for his own life and the lives of his friends. His story is unacceptable, three young men losing their lives is unacceptable, and the lack of sensible firearm legislation in our country is unacceptable. I sincerely hope that in the future our nation can enact meaningful gun reform. It is truly my wish that students and teachers never have to think about potential ways to escape or survive any experience of gun violence.

Grace McGuire ‘25 (she/her) can be reached at grmcguire@ davidson.edu.

Mallory

Charlie Sellers ‘24, Skylar Linker ‘25

Yowl Editors

Yowl Editors

Silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, goofy, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly, silly

Favorite Commons Meal: Yes

Photographer

I am a member of Gamut Dance Company, JSU, and a tour guide.

Favorite Commons Meal: Chicken Parm.

I am a Gender & Sexuality Studies and Hispanic Studies double major. I enjoy meditation and spending time outside with my friends!

Favorite Commons Meal: Mac & Cheese!

Goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy, silly, goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy

Favorite Commons Meal: No

Sydney Schertz ‘24 Photographer

I am educational studies major and I love playing sports. I also studied abroad in Copenhagen last semester. Favorite Commons Meal: Marshmellow Mateys from the cereal bar.

Davidsonian The Staff

Editors-in-Chief News Editors

Features Editor

Politics Editors

Perspectives Editor

Arts and Culture Editor

Sports Editors

Living Davidson Editor

Yowl Editors

Photography Editors

Social Media Manager

Business Manager

Design Editors

Senior Copy Editor

Anika Banerjee ‘24, Stella Mackler ‘26

Abby Brissett ‘26, McKinley Lettre ‘24

Arshi Husain ‘26

Ian Macel ‘24, Bilal Razzak ‘25

Avo Reid ‘26

Katherine Marshall ‘26

Cameron Krakowiak ‘24, Victor Taylor ‘24

Stephen Walker ‘26

Skylar Linker ‘25, Mallory Justis ‘24, Charlie Sellers’ 24, Eric Schoellner ‘25

Bailey Maierson ‘25, Sydney Schertz ‘24

Arshi Husain ‘26

Sierra Brown ‘25

Isabelle Easter ‘25, Bailey Maierson ‘25

Mattie Baird ‘25