#NEVERAGAIN: Gun Control Reform

#NEVERAGAIN : Gun Control Reform

Taken From Christine Aladjian’s Blogspot





Last week, when classes at Stoneman Douglas High School had resumed and news trucks had left, two boys sat in their kitchen trying to launch a movement. Adam and his friend Zach had known two of the fourteen victims and wanted to provoke change through action.They knew their friends had marched in Tallahassee and read the posts concerning the #NeverAgain movement, but the boys wanted to provide change regarding the electoral decisions of future candidates and their stance to protecting the youth. They decided to call their movement Parents Promise To Kids or #PPTK. It was composed of a contract. The contract itself was brief and consisted of one sentence which read, "I/We [parent(s) name(s)] promise to [child name(s)] that I/We will vote for legislative leaders who support your children's safety over guns!" Since then, over one hundred contacts ranging coast to coast have been signed, posed with, and posted on social media with #PPTK. The boys have been working on broadening the contract to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and teachers. They have also been working on outreach to influential people. Their contract was retweeted by David Hogg, an outspoken senior, Emma Gonzalez, the senior who presented the "We call BS" speech, and actress Alyssa Milano. Although the movement has attracted lots of positive reaction, there have been emails and DM's sent to the boys regarding the "stupidity" behind it, and even slander of their appearances. But the boys will still continue to present and promote their contract, and even plan on having attorney's / lawyers make more "official" contracts to present.

No one should have to write about this topic at all. This incident or any incident regarding gun violence and misuse should not be occurring or an issue in this country. America needs to prioritize its people and its children over guns. Places like malls, libraries, nightclubs, and schools should be safe places. They are places where people of the public have the uttermost assurance of security. Children should not have to fear attending school, should not have to send a text to their parents thinking it will be their last, and should not have to hide under desks and squeeze into spots crying, praying, and fearing for their existence. The polarized state of this country and its choice to value pieces of destruction over its people is wrong. This is no Democratic/Republican issue, this is no religious issue, and this is no racial issue. This is a nationwide issue concerning the safety of all. Until there is work done, laws changed, consequences made stricter, and a feeling of comfort and security, we cannot uphold the very words of our pledge that says "justice for all". Justice for all includes safety. Safety must be implemented now. Change needs to occur now.






Source: "Sign Here, Mom and Dad: Parkland Teenagers Craft a Gun - Control Contract"

By: Charles Bethea

Source: The New Yorker

https://tinyurl.com/y6u5xh8l