By Shea Sullivan

    So far in 2018, there have already been 25 mass shootings, and it is only February 15. Many are demanding change before more shootings occur.

    Tragedy struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Wednesday. The shooting left 17 people dead and 14 injured.

    The weapon used was an AR-15 rifle which was also used in the Orlando Nightclub shooting, Newtown Connecticut school shooting and the church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

    Americans are wondering why there have not been restrictions on guns like this. A main reason may be from government officials hesitating to take action on gun control.

    Several senators including Arizona senator John McCain and Ohio’s senator Rob Portman have received over $3,000,000 in endorsements from the National Rifle Association (NRA).

    This pretty much means that if senators endorsed by the NRA and thet do something against the organization’s wishes, then they will lose their endorsements and possibly their next election.

    A vast number of politicians are trying to convince other politicians endorsed by the NRA to work with them in bipartisan agreements on gun control. Yet that is much more difficult than it seems.

    “I have said it over and over: I would rather pass gun safety legislation than win the election, because people die from this,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said.

    Since Trump has been in office, his administration has revoked many Obama era rules on gun control. Getting rid of those rules has made it easier for the mentally ill and fugitives to buy guns, New York magazine reports.

    There has been no action taken under Trump’s presidency that would even attempt to prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands.

    The United States is one of only three countries with the right to bear arms. Other modern countries allow their citizens to buy guns, but not without extensive background checks and certain regulations.

    A vast majority of people in the United States want America to take steps in that direction.

    Great Britain has some of the strictest gun control laws and one of the lowest numbers of gun deaths. In 2008-09, only 39 people died in the entire country as a result of guns.

    Many argue that gun control violates the Second Amendment and that regulating guns would violate Americans rights. Yet others argue that it is not necessary to own assault rifles for self defense, especially ones that have been used in several mass shootings.

    Americans have many differing opinions when it comes to gun control, but with more and more lives being taken from gun violence, many are ready for change.