September 4, gun violence in a Georgia school shooting took the lives of at least four — two students and two teachers — and hospitalized several others, bringing an uprising to the issues of gun control. This recent shooting took place at Apalachee High School, leaving numerous injured and residing trauma throughout the surrounding community. With Georgia’s relatively weak gun laws, the malicious use of guns in the form of mass shootings, especially in educational environments, calls for attention and reform attempts.

“I think gun violence is a desensitized topic in our country because there are so many occurrences of it. It’s a horrible, prevalent act that is always discussed but never changed. Increased restrictions on purchasing guns like age limits, background checks and longer processes can help prevent these issues from happening in the first place,” magnet senior Leika Badstibner said

In Georgia, purchasing a gun only requires that citizens reach the age of 18, and to apply for a Weapons Carry License (WCL) requires citizens to reach age 21. The process simply consists of mandatory rules including: no felony convictions, no drug convictions, no admittance to a mental hospital in the previous five years and other similar mandates. The WCL does not count as necessary to simply purchase a firearm. Nowhere in the regulations does training or testing appear in Georgia law, unlike other states such as California that require specific accounts and taxes prior to purchase.

With the increasing amount of gun violence seen throughout the U.S., it becomes clear that changes should occur. Training or learning sessions should appear as nonnegotiables before firearms fall into the hands of generic citizens. Similar to training academies specific to police bootcamps, exceptions pertaining to the public should no longer remain. Courses, whether online or in person, can easily become implemented in the gun-purchasing process.

However, numerous citizens believe owning a gun exists as a right, specifically given in the second amendment. A plethora of citizens see firearms as a form of protection. Self-defense and feelings of security stand as reasons to carry and own guns, especially when crime rates stand high. Firearms and safety seem to fall hand-in-hand to the typical, gun-owner — and with good reason. While the U.S. Constitution protects the right to bear arms, certain ways to handle the rights lean into the spotlight following countless firearm-abusing incidents.

“I definitely don’t think guns should be taken away completely. I mean, they are so normal in American households and activities and just make so many people feel safer, but violence with weapons is never okay. School shootings and other mass violent occurrences are horrible but it’s more a problem with controlling the people who get them, especially when the roots are with mental issues,” senior Noah Kennedy said.

Classic American activities involve firearms such as hunting and entertainment at gun clubs, where regulation occurs by season or safety precautions. With a clear rise in gun violence, the Apalachee High School incident extended the numbers of mass shootings in the U.S. in 2024 to a staggering 386, highlighting the need for regulations when it comes to life and death. The alarming patterns of increase in hostile gun use call for citizens to alter their ways.

“In terms of school shootings, lessons on mental health awareness and increasing safety measures can help reduce shootings because many offenders are younger. Speaking about it keeps people aware of the trauma, dangers, and importance of gun violence (awareness) and can help incite change in higher systems. Being aware and educated on the consequences of gun violence can lead to change and help keep the topic in circulation,” Badstibner said

Although gun violence may seem worlds away, when a serious and impactful issue hits so close to home, it brings attention to the people surrounding it. Various organizations such as United Against Gun Violence and Sandy Hook Promise allow the generic citizen to take action on issues that they feel strongly about, including gun regulation. To keep schools and surrounding atmospheres safe, executing new laws and protocols can take the public a step in the right direction.