Mass shootings are events that are, unfortunately, a common tragedy now. Every year, there seems to be a handful of these misfortunes that Americans ‘pray’ and pledge that ‘we aren’t afraid.’ Yet, it seems to continue, year after year, with an individual or some individuals, that rain down terror at an event to be of happiness and fun. I’ll examine the gun laws in some states that are upheld now, two tragic mass shooting events, and why I think America should get stricter gun laws considering these events.
First, the gun law in Nebraska is that “open carry is legal … with a valid license to carry, and you can have a handgun in your vehicle without a permit so long as it is clearly visible” and the Nebraska Constitution states that “… the right to keep and bear arms for security or defense of self, family, home, and others, and for lawful common defense, hunting, recreational use, and all other lawful purposes, and such rights shall not be denied or infringed by the state or any subdivision thereof” (Ciyou). In contrast to North Dakota’s law: “Open carry is legal in North Dakota with a valid license to carry, but you can carry an unloaded handgun without a license during daylight hours, or at any time on your property” (Ciyou). And even contrasting with Arkansas: “Arkansas is a constitutional carry state, meaning that anyone legally allowed to possess a handgun may carry it open or concealed without a license’ (Ciyou).