SSN Commentary

The Time for Action on Gun Control Is Now, and Americans Support It

Policy field

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Xavier University

Originally published as "The Time for Action on Gun Control Is Now, and Americans Support It," with Alexander L. Burton, The Cincinnati Enquirer, May 28, 2022.

A few days ago, people watched in sheer horror as another American town – Uvalde, Texas – was added to a list that no community ever wants to be on. May 24 was to be a fun day at Robb Elementary School celebrating students’ accomplishments over the school year. The second through fourth-graders were even encouraged to wear nice clothes with fancy or fun shoes to correspond with the day’s "Footloose and Fancy" theme. Instead, excitement and joy morphed into fear and devastation as 19 fourth-grade students and two teachers had their lives taken by an 18-year-old gunman.

As the horrific details of what occurred are revealed, so, too, are the demands to "do something" by people from all walks of life: parents, students, survivors of gun violence, local and national leaders, politicians, celebrities, and basketball coaches. Thoughts and prayers continue to pour into the Uvalde community as calls for action intensify. As grief and outrage hang heavy, parents across the country are having to talk to their children about what occurred to only turn around – less than 24 hours later – and send them off to school wondering if they will be next.