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Darin Graham
Feb 24, 2018
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Young people in the United States are remarkably divided over the issue of gun control.
Following the horrific gun attack that unfolded in Parkland, Florida last week claiming the lives of 17, survivors and people all over the US demanded common sense gun control.
Students walked out their schools in protest and teachers asked to armed with more supplies in schools rather than firearms - after Donald Trump suggested looking into arming a select group of teachers.
While the anti-gun message in the United States and around the world was clear, one journalist heard a very different message from young people at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland.
Kara Vought from Mother Jonesspoke to young conservatives and asked how they thought gun violence can be stopped.
Amelia Culbreath of Hillsdale College said:
I really don’t think we should take guns out of the hands of people who are wanting to help and promote gun safety because if you think about it, drugs are illegal but people still find a way to get them and underage drinking, people will always find a way.
Aidan Mattis of Penn State University said:
We’ve had guns for such a long time and school shootings have only recently become a problem. It’s bound to be more of a culture issue than it is in any way a gun issue. The solution has to be something revolving around armed guards in schools or teachers being allowed to have concealed carry permits. But, I absolutely don’t think that banning guns from the general population is a feasible solution.
Isabelle Trobetto of Cleveland State told Mother Jones:
Maybe a mental wellness check before buying a gun? But I think taking them away is just going to create a whole other battle that’s gonna open up - definitely be a can of worms.
Nathan Petri of Hillsdale College said:
I would say the average narrative is more guns equals more violence. When most Republicans do that they’re not acknowledging that there’s kind of two different worlds.
There’s the world of basically Montana, Wyoming and the rural states where that does actually work because you’re dealing with a different type of population.Â
Clark Newby of American University said liberals should not blame gun rights advocacy organisation the National Rifle Association (NRA) when there’s a shooting, he says that’s not the case, adding:
We support self-defence, not mass shootings.
HT Motherjones
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