Advances in Gun Control Since Parkland Shooting

In wake of the February 14th shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the country is trying to make changes when it comes to gun laws and safety. Politico has reported that there has been an increase in gun control advocacy since the shooting and that the biggest growth is amongst Republicans and Independents. The article shows that 68% of voters want stricter gun control and that it’s the biggest percentage amongst voters after any recent mass shooting. A different poll done by CNN also saw that 49% of Republicans want stricter gun control, which is 30% more than last year.

Some states and businesses have also taken it upon themselves to enact better safety when it comes to guns. Oregon has passed a law that gets rid of a loophole in domestic violence cases. The state already banned domestic violence perpetrators who live with their victims from owning guns, but now people with domestic violence charges who don’t live with their victims are not allowed to own guns or firearms as well.

New York is also trying to pass laws that will strengthen their already strict gun control. These laws would include more expansive background checks, a ban on bump stocks, and extreme risk protective orders against gun owners who appear as threats to themselves or others.

Colorado is currently trying to pass a bill that will ban the ownership and selling of bump stocks in the state. The city of Denver already has a bump stock ban, but the statewide bill would strengthen this law.

Dicks Sporting Goods has taken steps in providing better gun control, regardless of state laws. They have decided to stop selling assault-style rifles at any of their stores, and will not sell any guns to anyone under the age of 21. Their decision is important, as they had legally sold a gun to the Parkland shooter 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, though that gun wasn’t used during the shooting.

And finally, President Trump has announced that he wants to propose rules that would make it difficult to acquire bump stocks. Politico quotes the President as saying, “we are going to make it so tough, you’re not going to be able to get them. Nobody’s going to want them anyway.”

Though the country is a long way from a group consensus on gun control, these small measures show that change is coming.

When the government doesn’t act on gun control, it is nice to see companies with the power to make change, make change. Thank you @DICKS for starting the change. I’m going to definitely shop more❤️

— Alex Aiono (@alexaiono) February 28, 2018