Sarah Ward

By SARAH E. WARD Staff Writer

The December shooting at a Newtown Elementary school has sparked a debate over the safety and necessity of assault rifle sales.

As the tinsel is being taken down and the holiday decorations are being tucked away until next season, it is hard to think of the families from Newtown, Conn. who are putting away stockings of their deceased children. Twenty children and six adults were laid to rest over the holiday after one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history.

On Dec. 14, accused shooter Adam Lanza shot and killed his mother before breaking into Sandy Hook Elementary and killed 26 children and adults. This event swept the country into sadness, fear and anger and reignited the always-controversial gun debate.

The guns used in the school shooting were assault rifles—more specifically, the Bushmaster rifle, which is a semi-automatic weapon. The National Rifle Association (NRA) came under attack following the shootings, and President Barack Obama publicly called for gun law reforms and vowed to do everything in his power to prevent an incident like this from happening again.

The NRA had been under fire earlier this year following the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and the Aurora, Colo. theatre shootings where similar assault rifles were also used. After the most recent tragedy, WayneLaPierre, executive director of the NRA issued a statement:

“There exists in this country a callous, corrupt and corrupting shadow that sells, and sows, violence against its own people, through vicious, violent video games with names like Bulletstorm, Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Kombat and Splatterhouse. And here’s one: it’s called Kindergarten Killer. It’s been online for 10 years.”

The NRA called for more guns rather than less by suggesting all teachers and school staff members should be armed.

“The only way to stop a monster from killing our kids is to be personally involved and invested in a plan of absolute protection. The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”

The issue of gun control is a Pandora’s Box for many other issues including mental health and mental healthcare and violence in mass media. People from all sides of the political spectrum are trying to figure out what is the best way to stop gun violence in America.

Days after the Sandy Hook massacre President Obama visited the small but courageous town and spoke not like a president, but like a grieving father.

More recently, he spoke on Meet the Press and pressed for new gun control laws including provisions for a ban on assault rifles, a ban on high-capacity magazines and a requirement for background checks at gun shows.

“I am skeptical that the only answer is putting more guns in schools, and I think the vast majority of the American people are skeptical that that is somehow going to solve our problem.”

Wal-Mart, Dick’s Sporting Goods and many pawn shops have pulled Bushmaster rifles and other semi-automatic weapons from shelves and websites in response to the casualty in Newtown. Dick’s released a statement about their decision.

“Out of respect for the victims and their families, during this time time of national mourning we have removed all guns from sale and display in our store nearest to Newtown and suspended the sale of modern sporting rifles in all of our stores chain wide.”

This sudden outcry for more gun control has gun enthusiasts and gun owners flocking to the store to buy up AR-15’s, .223 ammunition and high capacity magazines that were banned by congress until 2004 when the ban expired and was not renewed. The fear of a renewed ban on certain guns and ammunition has gun advocates stocking up and emptying shelves.

Indiana gun laws do not require a permit or registration for rifles, shotguns or handguns. The only permit required is for the right to carry a handgun. No state permit is required for the possession of a rifle, shotgun or handgun. The state constitutional provision article 1 section 32 states “the people shall have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the state.”

Indiana University policy does not allow firearms or weapons on any university-controlled sites or sponsored events other than security or police.

While gun advocates and gun control advocates don’t agree on much, both sides seem to agree that losing the lives of twenty innocent children is unacceptable, and that something needs to change.