On October 25, 2023, a gunman opened fire at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine, killing 18 people and injuring 13 others during the attack. This tragedy marked the 565th mass shooting in the United States in 2023.
The perpetrator responsible for the mass shooting was Robert Card, a 40-year-old military reservist from Bowdoin, Maine. Prior to the attack, relatives of Card noticed a decline in his mental health and had contacted the sheriff’s office earlier in the year.
On October 27, Card was found near a recycling plant in Lisbon, Maine, with a fatal gunshot wound to the head, the manner of death having been ruled a suicide. According to the Maine Chief Medical Examiner, Card likely died 8-12 hours before being found.
Following the rise in mass shootings in the United States, concern about public safety and criticism towards state and federal gun laws have continued to increase, leading many to question the application of the second amendment in the 21st century.
For years, Americans have voiced the unease they experience when traveling to work or school. Even in states that have stricter gun legislation, like New York, people still harbor a feeling of anxiety when out in public.
“Violence can happen anywhere and we must be prepared,” said an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn who requested anonymity. “It’s in the back of everyone’s mind.”
In New York City schools, students and staff members are required to practice safety protocols in case of an emergency. Certain protocols, like the lockdown drills and shelter-ins, help target immediate danger and aim to prevent the worst possible outcome in a situation. Although these measures are meant to provide a sense of security within the building, students have their doubts about their actual effectiveness.
“If crazy people are easily able to bring and use guns in public, what’s stopping them from bringing them into schools?” asked Emily Graham, a senior at Fort Hamilton High School. “These safety rules can only work up to a certain point.”
In spite of the apprehension that many feel, others offered different perspectives on the issue. In public, people noted various measures that help limit the likelihood of something bad happening, so they don’t feel as agitated when traveling from one place to another.
“I feel safe in the morning; there are people around that might help,” explained Rachel Tzic, a junior at Fort Hamilton High School. “There are cops everywhere in New York City that keep us safe.”
Having these precautions set up around the city has offered some people some peace of mind. Anthony Randazzo, a history teacher at Fort Hamilton High School, highlighted the effort put into making public areas, especially schools, as safe as possible.
“I do feel safe in school,” he said. “School shootings are horrific, tragic, terrible…but they are rare.”
The discussion surrounding gun rights and gun control can be very divisive. With the surge of gun-related violence across the country, many Americans have felt scared to go out in public and live their lives. Even with a lot of controversy on this topic, most recognize that safety is most important when it comes to building a strong community and maintaining social order.
