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Ballots and Bullets

Writer's picture: Genesis WrightGenesis Wright

"When will this end?"


Gun violence in schools is one of the most common occurrences of violence in schools nowadays. It is regrettable that our system has failed to address the issue of gun access. This issue is certainly more than just violence; it is a mental health concern. School shootings in the United States have highlighted worries about classroom safety. These worries revolve around gun laws and how we as a culture have responded—or failed to respond—to this issue. Over the last two years at Clark Atlanta University, at least five shootings have been reported. Several people have been injured and harmed. One student has died as a result of this form of violence. When will this end? I did three interviews with Clark Atlanta University students to learn how they felt about the topic. I presented three questions: “How do you feel about gun violence at Clark Atlanta University? In the 2024 election, what reforms would you wish the next president would carry out to put an end to this type of violence? How important is this topic to you and your peers when making voting decisions? Do you think it matters, and why? This is what they had to say.


Ariel Carter, Junior, Business Admin-Management, 20

“I think that by having better security and protocols, we could have avoided things in a more effective way. All 50 states should have tougher gunpurchase and ownership laws. Yes, it will influence my decision because I lost an uncle because of this brutality. If nothing is done today, the problem will either persist or worsen. This will influence my voting decision.”


Merika Rhodes, Junior, Business Administration, 20 


“This is a common issue at Clark Atlanta University. It instills fear in students, making them feel unsafe and uncomfortable. [It] makes them reassess their involvement in CAU. On a personal level, I recently went out and experienced gun violence, and I was physically harmed. I ended up with damaged knees and a busted lip as a result of gun violence, which terrified and traumatized me.


Create extra barriers, restrictions, and prerequisites for obtaining a weapon. It is so easy to obtain a gun now. Before obtaining a gun, you need to undergo a mental health test and be subject to additional legal restrictions.

As an African American, this affects me as a student. Because I am a member of one of America’s most marginalized groups and knowing that the system does not protect me goes hand in hand with gun violence because when you need the police to facilitate an issue, they do not always keep us safe due to racial bias. It is crucial to me as a student at CAU because the school’s location causes a lot of gun violence.”


Amarah J. Junior, Psychology major 19

“Gun violence is a horrific act that should be addressed through certain methods to safely de-escalate certain situations before it is too late. Local and on-campus security should remove all non-students who may linger near student housing or give a security check to those who are not part of the Atlanta University Center.


In order to make change, the next president needs to make better gun registration policies. They also need to make a gun database of people who register guns. This includes the type and year of the guns. People should not be able to sell to someone who is not mentally stable. Everyone should take a mental health test before obtaining gun ownership. Clark Atlanta University should provide metal detectors that ensure the safety of school grounds. Security and police should be armed.


The U.S. has the highest rates in gun ownership. For example, states that have fewer gun laws have seen more incidents of gun violence in schools than in other states. The U.S. needs to make laws that make it impossible for people under the age of 21 years old to purchase a gun. Schools should provide more security and more resources for people struggling with mental health. Although schools and victims have repeatedly requested change, very few changes have been made in order to prevent another gun shooting from happening in the classroom.” 

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