Gun violence has been a major issue across the country since the late 80’s and early 90’s. Between 2001 and 2011, 11,385 people died from firearms. Yet the estimated amount of guns in the U.S. is 3 million, one third of the American population. 35 to 42 percent of  households in the country have at least one gun. The information on this data comes from the National Institute of Justice in a report released by CNN.

Putnam student Shay Dewald thinks guns are more of a problem for America today. When asked if guns are a bad influence on the United States she responded, “Yes, because they have done really bad things and dispute the impact of this violence with guns.” Shay believes that guns have been a major issue that many people disagree on and it has become a greater issue with many mass killings.“People are so indecisive. It’s like half and half, no one thinks the same,” she says. Shay has wondered why all of these terrible things have happened but policy makers won’t change policies on gun issues.

Taylor White thinks guns are not the issue. Reacting to the question, do guns have a bad influence, with the response, “Guns have been around since the start of America and it was one of the first amendments, so not really.” He added that, “We are very aware of it, (gun violence) but I don’t think the government has done very much on it.” He also says that “…there should be background check for people with guns.”

Sergeant Lee Gosson from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, had mixed emotions about the Second Amendment. “I think people have been a bad influence on people today, not necessarily the gun itself.” He says guns are the object that people use, even though the world has witnessed other violence from weapons besides firearms. “I don’t think people know the harm it causes until it hits them directly,” he says.

All of these people represent society today. We see the things that happen in this world much differently, which is the problem. We can’t come to an agreement of what should be done. To solve this issue, we must bring all sides together and have good communication between all sides of the argument. All sides must compromise to find a solution to this ongoing tragedy.