Gun Control Legislation Needs to Be Serious

The National Rifle Association continues to take a silent stance after mass shootings like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary. However, despite its silence, what's even more shocking is the fear among U.S. residents that the NRA's 4 million members can choke any potential attempts for tighter gun control laws.

I believe in the power in numbers. However, I wonder why innocent children had to die in such a horrific manner for people to change their stance on gun laws. Columbine taught us that evil gunman could target our schools, but no one ever imagined it would lead to the death of so many promising young children. I believe that Americans should be allowed to protect themselves, but no one needs three guns and no one needs an assault rifle.

Whether or not, gun control legislation will move forward, I hope people give more weight to the scope of what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary with the possibility that gunman can attack Americans anywhere and at any moment.

Since writing this post, the NRA has spoken about the shooting at Sandy Hook. On Dec. 21, the NRA's executive vice president Wayne LaPierre blamed gun violence on the music, video games and movies. He defended the need for people to have guns to defend themselves. He also claimed that the federal budget would allow for police presence at every school.

LaPierre's comments were somewhat accurate. America has made gun violence a lucrative business with movies and video games. Some schools have police officers on campus, but that does not stop the fights and violence.

I propose that metal detectors be installed in schools to deter people from entering schools with guns. This was something that was discussed after the Columbia tragedy, but it needs to be seriously explored. If body scanners can be installed at airports, then installing metal detectors is not a far-fetched idea.