Four victims were robbed of their lives on Wednesday, Sept. 4. On a day that should have been like any other, 14-year-old Colt Gray took his rifle and wreaked havoc on Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., and throughout the nation. 

Understandably, people are outraged, distraught and disappointed by the news. Rarely though, will they be surprised. Mass shootings have become a regular occurrence in America. This should not be the status quo. 

It should go without saying that every life is sacred. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness: these are the foundations that the U.S. is founded on. What happens when auxiliary rights — the right to bear arms — come into conflict with these foundations? 

Conflict, confusion and chaos, which were all seen on Sept. 4. 

Gun control is a touchy subject in many places, especially considering the urban-rural divide that shapes the country. In rural Texas, guns are part of local culture and are used to carry out beloved traditions like hunting. In highly populated New York, guns are associated with gang violence and are more likely to frighten than assure. 

Similar to the culture in Texas, Apalachee High School, located in a rural town in Georgia, exists in a community with low levels of gun control policies, likely contributing to Gray’s ability to possess a firearm. After the tragedy at Apalachee, it’s clear that change is not only necessary but long overdue. Implementing stricter gun control measures could prevent further loss of life and honor the memory of those already lost.

According to The New York Times, Gray had a tumultuous home life. His aunt Annie Brown said “the adults in his life let him down,” and that Gray “was actively seeking help” concerning his mental state. 

Gen Z is more likely compared to any other generation to note their mental health as “fair or poor” according to the American Psychological Association. These patterns paint a brutal picture for America. As tragedies continue to pour down the screens of Gen Z, pushed forward by a collective culture of doom-scrolling, waves of depression can flood in.

Gray is not the voice of his generation. His actions reflect his own circumstances and experiences. However, that does not negate mental health as a growing problem. If legislators of any party wish to lessen the amount of shootings, improving mental health should be one of their top priorities. 

It is important to take students in the context they are in along with their mental status. At Northwest Middle School in Guilford County, students were recently put on lockdown after an alleged threat by “an emo sixth-grader” — a characterization given by those middle school students. 

Precautions are wonderful when they fit the circumstance. However, when simple attributes, hobbies and fashion styles are taken as signifiers of sinister motives, then real danger strikes. Truly effective gun safety is holistic, with both evidence and research to back it up. Punishing students for fitting into the “school shooter stereotype” without proper care is performative action, and will only serve to distract from true change being done. 

In order for progress to be made, there needs to be a proper understanding on what gun safety means. Getting to that understanding will be difficult. America is incredibly diverse, and with that diversity comes contrasting opinions. However, the terror on Apalachee shows that America must have that dialogue on gun safety, no matter how difficult it is. 

Action like universal background checks can be that positive step for gun safety. Universal background checks apply for private purchases, closing the infamous “gun show loophole,” which refers to the sale of firearms by private sellers that do not require a federal background check of the purchaser.

Research by the Rockefeller Institute of Government, a public policy research organization, demonstrates their effectiveness: there is a strong association between universal background checks and a decrease in firearm homicide. 

Change can be made regarding those gaps in laws. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, passed in 2022, implemented comprehensive background checks for purchasing a gun, especially for those under 21. It was a step in the right direction, but more can be done regarding possession. The Protecting Our Kids Act is currently under review by the Senate. If it passes, gun possession by minors will be regulated. More lives saved. 

Ultimately, there is no silver bullet in preventing these tragedies. From location and legislation, to mental health and phones, there are numerous converging reasons why Gray decided to shoot innocents at Apalachee. What is fundamentally known however, is the value of a human life. Every single one is precious. 

Having lives lost due to lax laws should not be acceptable under any measure. Kids shouldn’t have to worry about being shot at school. School shouldn’t have to be treated like a prison. Teachers shouldn’t have to worry that one of their students could end their life. All of this is a possibility with lenient laws. It’s time to put an end to it. 

Contact your senator about the Protecting Our Kids Act today.