The Vista NOTRE DAME ACADEMY*3535 W. SYLVANIA AVE.* TOLEDO, OH 43623*VOL 68 ISSUE 2*Nov. 10, 2017
Gun Violence Plaguing U.S., Toledo Streets Ada Ogbonna The rights surrounding the use and obtainability of firearms has been a controversial subject for numerous years but never has it been more prevalent than in this modern day and age. Gun violence is working its way into more cases these days and is a growing epidemic especially among the younger generations. According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, 7 children and teenagers, ranging in age from 0-19, die from gun violence every day. Amongst all ages, 93 people die daily from misuse of guns. In Toledo alone so far this year, 69 people have died due to this type of violence. Police Officer Derek Kizer has served on the force for almost eighteen years now and currently works in schools. He has been exposed to many types of violence throughout his experience. “I have seen many former students using guns to murder people or being killed by weapons. The fact that high school students feel the need to use guns for violence even though those reasons could be solved with much lesser force is devastating,” Officer Kizer said. He is for gun rights but does believe there should be stricter policies regarding who can and cannot own a gun. At the same time, he realizes the government does not want to take away the rights of people by being too strict with regulations. As a police officer, gun use is imperative because having one helps them stay safe amidst all the dangerous situations the job provides on a daily basis.
Everyday, 40 children and teens are shot and survive: 31 injured in an a ack, 1 survives a suicide a empt and 8 shot uninten onally In an average year, 114,994 people in American are shot in murders, assaults, suicides and suicide a empts, uninten onal shoo ngs or by police interven on Experts es mate that 40 percent of guns now sold in America are done so without a Brady background check.
60% of gun owners say they own guns for protec on, 36% for hun ng and 21% for recreaonal/target shoo ng According to a study completed in 2000, ci zens use guns to defend themselves or others from a crime 989,883 mes per year A survey of male felons reported 34% had been scared off, shot at, wounded, or captured by an armed vic m, and 40% decided not to commit a crime because they believed the intended vic m was armed
Statistics found on
Statistics found on
bradycampaign.org/key-gun-violence-statistics
justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp
A differing opinion comes from defense attorney Mr. Ronnie Wingate. He firmly believes there are too many guns in America. It is not uncommon to hear the phrase “guns do not kill people, people kill people.” With more guns being in circulation than the population of the United States, Mr. Wingate finds it hard to believe that guns do not at least play a big role in majority of murders in the nation. Up to 70% of his cases are violent which is a large majority. When describing one of his cases, he said one of his clients “in a fit of anger, shot and killed another person.” Just like Officer Kizer, Mr. Wingate
believes access to guns should be closely monitored and regulated by the government. Screening techniques should also be implemented for the public. He firmly believes that only in rare cases should guns be provided to the public. Both have seen blood stain the lives of innocent men and women due to gun violence. Both bring to light the harsh realities that come with guns and methods to regulate them. Whether or not gun control will be implemented is something only patience and time will tell. Everyone can do his or her part to stop violence throughout the country.
In This Issue: Page 3 Skin Care for Winter
Page 5 Girls Want GPA
Page 7 Girls in Christmas Shows