Thesis Statement: I believe that the solution to school shootings is universal background checks for all gun purchases including private sales. The Problem: School Shootings Since the Columbine school shooting in 1999, there have been 401 school shootings to this day. This includes anything from deaths, or just someone walking into the school and shooting the ceiling. According to the Chicago Tribune, “in Europe, there hasn’t been a major high-casualty gun attack on a campus in almost a decade.” But the paper stated that this is because Americans have a disproportionate number of guns (at least 300 million which is about one per person). 141 people have been killed so far in a murder or attempted mass murder since the 1999 Columbine incident. …show more content…
This background check would be required for every single gun purchase, including private, street and online purchases. The background check is made of that person's criminal record and mental health records as provided by federal and state courts and agencies. These background checks would cover that person's activity and all 50 states. 40% of gun sales are done without a background check because they are private, online, street or illegal sales. 35% fewer gun deaths per capita than states without that universal background check requirement. Cox, John Woodrow, and Steven Rich. “Analysis | No, There Haven't Been 18 School Shootings in 2018. That Number Is Flat Wrong.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 15 Feb. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/local/no-there-havent-been-18-school-shooting-in-2018-that-number-is-flat-wrong/2018/02/15/65b6cf72-1264-11e8-8ea1-c1d91fcec3fe_story.html?utm_term=.96b833e99850. Erickson, Amanda. “This Is How Common School Shootings Are in America.” Chicagotribune.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2018, www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-america-school-shootings-20180215-story.html. Everytown. “294 School Shootings in America Since 2013.” Everytown, 15 Feb. 2018,