Gun debates have emerged nationwide, once again, following a deadly school shooting, which led to the deaths of seventeen students and teachers. In the first 45 days of 2018 alone, 18 school shootings occurred in America. By comparison, Canada has only had 19 school shootings in a lifetime of more than 328 years. Gun control has been a nationwide debate for years in the United States, usually following a horrible tragedy. There have been countless public movements and protests in favor of new gun control laws to prevent another mass shooting. Yet, invariably, the federal government fails to do anything about gun control. The National Rifle Association, or NRA, is partly responsible because of its immense efforts to lobby Congress and state legislatures to oppose further gun control laws. Innocent lives have been taken by deranged individuals equipped with deadly weapons. Parents lost their children. Children have lost their parents. Gun control laws must be passed, thoughts and prayers cannot bring back those who have lost their lives, nor can they save the lives of potential future victims of gun violence. The 2nd Amendment, which protects the right of American citizens to bear arms, was passed more than two hundred years ago in 1791, since then firearms have only become more powerful and deadly. The citizens of the United States must demand gun reform and vote any corrupt NRA-funded politician who refuses to listen to the public's demands out of office in the next election. Gun reform should not repeal the 2nd Amendment, but serious change is needed to protect the lives of innocents. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Some politicians argue that mental health was the issue in every mass shooting case and no amount of gun control legislation could have prevented a mass shooting tragedy from occurring. In 1996, Australia passed strict gun control laws following a mass shooting that left 35 people dead and 18 others injured. Since gun control laws were passed, Australia has not only one mass shooting has occurred in over 20 years. The Australian case demonstrates that gun control prevents mass shootings. Unlike America, the Australian government only needed one mass shooting as a wake-up call. A buyback program was organized and citizens voluntarily relinquished possession of some deadly firearms and received compensation. America needs to pass some sort of gun control regulation to prevent more mass shootings from happening again, and the American people overwhelmingly agree that more can be done to prevent mass shootings. Deranged individuals should not own firearms, background checks should be mandatory. The gun show loophole, which allows people to legally purchase a firearm without a background check, is still legal in many states. According to the Washington Post, at least 167 mass murderers' weapons were obtained legally and 49 illegally. Public opinion shifted in favor of gun control legislation following the fatal shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018, the highest support for gun control in recent memory.20 years. Even though seven in ten support gun control legislation, the federal government can't get anything passed. Some states have taken it upon themselves to pass laws, but until the federal government takes action, mass shootings will continue to occur in the United States. According to the Brady campaign, more than 100,000 people in America are killed as a result of homicides, assaults, suicides, accidents or police intervention. Companies have cut ties with the National Rifle Association following several survivors of the Stoneman Douglas school shooting calling for a boycott of companies that offer discounts to NRA members for various services. Following companies severing ties with the NRA, some major firearms suppliers such as Walmart, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Kroger have also taken steps to protect the public, including removing some firearms-related products from their stores and their website. Opponents of gun control advocates argue that gun control would only prevent law-abiding citizens from gaining access to guns. The “Good with a Gun vs. Bad with a Gun” argument is often used by those who oppose gun control laws. However, several armed officers on duty at Stoneman Douglas High School never entered the school while an active shooter was active. Instead, deputies stood by outside the school afterward claiming they believed the school shooter was outside the building. A good guy with a gun couldn't take on a bad guy with a gun. In all the mass shootings America has seen, how many were stopped by an ordinary citizen with a firearm? While this happens, it is incredibly rare. Ordinary civilians are usually not the ones stopping these deranged individuals, certified first responders with firearms are. In these types of situations, the good guy with a gun can easily be confused with a bad guy with a gun during an active shooting. Police may open fire on an armed civilian “good guy” during a mass shooting. The National Rifle Association induces mass hysteria that any gun control legislation violates 2nd Amendment rights and the government is attempting to remove everyone's guns. In the case District of Columbia v. Heller, a Supreme Court ruling was issued that made it clear that while citizens have the right to bear arms, the government also has the right to pass laws to protect its citizens. The government can't take away guns from everyone, nor do most gun control advocates want to. Gun control advocates simply want less deranged people to possess weapons capable of mass extermination. The majority of gun control advocates want more thorough controls and a ban on military-style weapons. Many simply want their children to go to school without fearing for their lives. Recently some politicians have proposed a solution to combat mass shootings. “Red Flag” laws would disarm at-risk individuals suspected of committing unlawful acts. Red Flag laws would keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill and criminals. Several states such as New Jersey and Ohio have proposed these types of laws to prevent another mass shooting, but red flag laws, while potentially effective, are not enough to protect the lives of innocents. More thorough background checks need to be conducted on anyone wishing to purchase a firearm of any kind..