"Bowling for Columbine"

After watching “Bowling for Columbine,” I talked with my mom and asked what she remembered hearing when this horrendous event occurred. The shooters didn’t just shoot anyone at Columbine, but asked each victim whether they were a Christian, athlete, or of a different ethnicity. My mom remembers hearing about two girls in particular that were killed. One was a girl named Rachel. Everyone knew her as the girl who made every person welcome. She was a Christian, very involved with her youth group and fellowship of Christians at her school. She was the kind of person who didn’t leave anyone feeling left out. She was even acquaintances with one of the shooters. However, she was the very first target. Her parents found her diary after she passed away. Rachel had mentioned that she wanted some meaning to come out of her life. Her family created a program called Rachel’s Challenge, a program that equips students to bring positive change in there schools around the country. This program has helped students to not only include others and bond with their peers, but to give assistance to those students who think they are not worthy enough to live. In addition, there was another girl named Cassie who had also been asked if she was a Christian. She stood up for her faith. Michael W. Smith, a very famous Christian song writer and singer, wrote a song in her memory called “This is your time.” This tragic school shooting killed and injured many students and teachers. However, there was a positive that came out of it all. Schools developed new ways and technology to keep students safer.

Ever since that morning, on April of 1999 at Columbine High school, there have been numerous school shootings and other tragic deaths. According to the movie, there are 11,127 deaths in America from guns, more than any other country. Many say that it’s because of America’s history of violence, the mixed ethnicity, or even the problems that our country encountered with civil rights in the very beginning. Even though this is a major problem in our Country, we have to view having the guns is not the whole issue that is at hand. The gun isn’t the “one” who pulls the trigger, the person does. They fear what could happen. Some of this fear was shown in the movie, from the 911 attacks to other shootings that caused Americans to not trust one another. In order to feel safe, even in their own home, they feel like they have to have a gun loaded and ready for anyone who threatens them.

 Some people also do not have the mental stableness to be able to have this huge responsibility. We all have to view each individual as a human being who knows and feels pain--we are all equal. In the New York’s newspaper article we read, about Japan’s 4 rules and laws to own a gun, I believe they are on the right track as to what the steps are to require such a weapon. Japan has each individual attend classes, pass a written test, a drug test and a background check.  The question arises for a similar issue, why do we go through so many obstacles to be able to drive a motorized vehicle? In Virginia I had to drive for 40 hours practicing with a parent, drive with an instructor around a course and on the main roads for 2 hours at a time for a whole week, and go to a court hearing for 4 hours, instructions on how a car can be dangerous and to be used responsibly. I feel as though these issues are very similar, and a type of process America should be taking.