# data[].attributes.body
Where will I go from here? My research journey has had a lot of ups and downs. The topic I chose to research has more information I know what to do with. I have only been able to touch on a few things that I have questions about. For example, the Second Amendment, a right to bear arms. I am still confused as to how that means an individual has the right to bear arms for protection. While I have been researching, I had the opportunity to see both sides of the argument of gun ownership. There are some people who are for gun ownership and some who are not and it leaves me with mix feelings about people owning guns. For instance, there are people who use guns for recreational purposes, and I can see why they would be against stricter gun laws that would put a damper on their hobby. I also can see where perhaps a victim of gun violence would be pushing for stricter gun laws. When I started my research, I was Pro for stricter gun laws and had a very strong feeling against gun ownership. At this point of my research and I still all about finding a solution to lower gun violence, but there has got to be a median that would benefit both sides of the fence.

# data[].attributes.body
Here is some statistics I found interesting from the website everytownresearch.org.

https://everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/?source=etno_ETHomePage&utm_source=et_n_&utm_medium=_o&utm_campaign=ETHomePage

# data[].attributes.body
While I was thinking of something to remix gun violence with, I don’t know why, but I thought of roller coasters. I thought that maybe the twists and turns, and ups and downs of a roller coaster ride might be somewhat similar to that of the ups and downs that come with the topic of gun violence. What I came upon was an article, “The Psychology of Roller Coasters,” by Richard Stephens. In the article, Stephens describes the sensation someone might feel while riding a roller coaster. He goes into depth about the different sensations that someone riding a roller coaster might feel, like the sensation you get when you watch a scary movie, or your heart beating fast and heavy breathing. It goes on to explain a little bit about adrenaline and stress associated with riding on a roller coaster.

I believe gun violence and riding a roller coaster can be similar by the sensation you might feel. When you are riding a roller coaster, you get a rush of adrenaline, as I'm sure you do if you happen to be in a situation with gun violence. Or when you are getting strapped into the seat of roller coaster ride, and your heart starts beating faster and you start breathing faster might be the way you feel in a gun violence situation. Otherwise, there are no similarities between gun violence and roller coasters.

Works Cited
Stephens, Richard. “The Psychology of Roller Coasters” The Conversation. July. 2018.

https://theconversation.com/the-psychology-of-roller-coasters-99166?xid=PS_smithsonian.

# data[].attributes.body
The reading, “Gabrielle Gifford and NRA Are Both Right About One Thing: US Culture of Violence,” goes into depth about how a video game could be paving a road to gun violence and mass shootings. In an effort to distract the attention away from the gun industry, the head of the NRA blamed the media and video games. The video game industry, arms industry, and the military all have a connection because the video game industry works closely with the military and gun manufacturers to keep the weaponry make the virtual world realistic. Some even have contracts with the department of defense. The industry denies any connection between video games and violence, but studies have shown that people who play video games are more pro-violence and have higher rates of hostility. There isn’t scientific research to show the link between video games and gun violence, but there are things that show that there could be a link. For example, Anders Breivik, an extremist who killed 69 people said at his trial; he had done his training on the game, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.”

Works Cited

Sanbonmatsu, John. “Gabrielle Giffords and NRA Are Both Right about One Thing: US Culture of Violence.” Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2013, p. N.PAG. EBSCOhost, frccwc.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tth&AN=85265623&site=ehost-live.

# data[].attributes.body
The article, “Guns and Violence,” is filled with information about numerous attempts to reduce gun violence. The first part of the article gives you some information about how the United States is listed as having the highest rate of firearm violence within industrialized nations. It also talks about the CDC’s multiple death databases indicating, that between 2012 and 2014, about 33,000 people died annually by from gun violence. The article then goes on to discuss how there has been some disagreement about what the second amendment really means, and in 1939 the supreme court ruled the second amendment is for a state’s ability to form a militia, not for self-protection and was overturned. After that, gun ownership for individuals was established, then, in 1994, Congress passed a bill that requires background checks on people purchasing firearms. But still, an estimated 80 million Americans own firearms and feel they are needed for self-protection. Then after the Columbine school shooting the US Secret Service and Department of Education created the safe school initiative. To lower the occurrence of gun violence, President Obama presented a bill for that would ban military-style weapons and a broader background check, but the bill failed. In conclusion, organizations and community programs are working to educate people on gun safety.

"Guns and Violence." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http://link.galegroup.com.frccwc.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/PC3010999127/OVIC?u=west59484&sid=OVIC&xid=de3fc479

# data[].attributes.body
In the Ted talk, "School Shootings Can be Prevented--Here's How," the speaker, William Woodward, does a study on the school shooting at Arapaho High School, that took the life 17-year-old, Claire Davis. In the study, Woodward and his colleague, Sarah Goodrem, find 27 "missed opportunities" that could have changed the outcome that led to Claire's death. For example, not involving a resource officer in the threat assessment and not confiscating the shooter's computer after there are reports that threats are being made. Then, Woodward explains how programs, such as assemblies about non-violence, were created. But none of them seem to be the answer. Woodward then moves on to talk about how this complex problem is trying to be solved by technology, and although it helps, it's not completely effective either. In conclusion to Woodward's studies, he puts together a safety plan that includes resources such as safe to tell, hands-on practice, anti-bullying programs.

At my kid's school, there is only one entrance into the school, and there is a doorbell with a camera. You can't go into the school without pressing the button; then they buzz you in. I like this safety feature, but I do agree with Woodward when he says, "we're trying to solve complex problems with simple technical solutions." Although I do like some of the technical solutions, for example, background checks before you go into the school, technology itself is not going to prevent school shootings. Woodward says, "good training requires hands-on training," and I agree with this as well. For myself, hands-on training is the best way for me to learn, so I think hands on would be a great part to a safety plan. If the staff at schools receive hands-on training, I feel like they would be able to handle a real situation better with hands-on training then training where you just go through the motions.

This TED talk makes me wonder what kind of safety plan my children's school has to prevent school shootings. I know they use technology but I wonder what other types of preventative routines they have in place. Maybe I can find out and make suggestions.

Do you have any ideas you can come up with that might benefit the safety plan?

Woodward, William. "School Shootings Can be Prevented -- Here's How" Ted Talks, August. 2018. TED
https://youtu.be/89XeX4eeulw

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
School shootings can be prevented -- here's how | William Woodward | TEDxMileHigh

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
After every school shooting, politicians and journalists tout the latest quick fix - arming teachers, hiring more mental health counselors, making students wear clear backpacks, or even having fewer doors on campus. But this epidemic is far too complicated for an easy solution.

# data[].attributes.body
In the article, “Bully Victims Are Twice as Likely to Bring A Weapon to School,” the author, Julia Lurie, writes an article of a study-based survey connecting bullying and weapons at school. According to the survey, of more than 15,000 high school students, shows that kids who are bullied bring guns or other weapons to school. The study also shows that 20 percent of the students surveyed had been victims of bullying and they were more likely to bring weapons to school if they experienced any of the risk factors. For example, the feeling of being unsafe at school, being threatened, having their property that was stolen or damaged, or getting into a fight. 72 percent of the students experiencing these risk factors brought a weapon to school, and 63 percent brought a gun. Although bullying does play a part in school shootings, there are factors, such as mental health issues and access to weapons.

With three kids in school, some of these numbers are disturbing. I already worry about my kids every day I drop them off at school. Not only do I worry about their safety, I worry about them being bullied. I think bullying happens more often than not, and although bullying is not the only reason for school shootings the number from this article is a little alarming. The article states that “among bullying victims, experiencing all four of the factors, 72 percent brought weapons to school in the past 6 months.” That is alarming for me, being that, the survey was done on high school students and I am the mother of a high school student.

Hopefully as a mother I am doing a good job teaching my kids how to deal with bullying. I always try to teach them not to let what others say bother you and I teach them not to bully.

Reading this article make me think, how is the bullying in elementary compared to this?
Does this happen often in the school around our area?

Lurie, Julia. “Bullying Victims Are Twice as Likely to Bring a Weapon to School” Mother Jones, May. 2014.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/bullying-victims-carry-weapons-guns/

# data[].attributes.body
I pull up to the school to pick up my daughter. “Mom, I’m just going to walk today!” A little annoyed, I tell her, “get in the car, this is the third day I show up to give you a ride, and you decide to walk.” She asks if her friend can come over, which is fine with me. When we get home, my daughter lets me know she is going to wait by the lake for another friend who is walking. Shortly after my daughter leaves, I hear it, “Pop, pop, pop,” one right after another. Then, a pause and one last “pop,” the sound of gunshots. Immediately, my heart sinks to my stomach. “My daughter,” I scream to myself as I sprint out the door and down the street. I get to the lake and see kids scrambling in all directions. I Pick up my phone to call my daughter. She answers, and I hear the panic in her voice, “Mom, someone just drove by and started shooting, and kids are running everywhere!” and then the phone hangs up. My breathing becomes shallow, and I begin to try to call her back and no answer. I hear police sirens all around me. I call her again and still no answer. My body begins to feel hot, “Where is my daughter? Why isn’t she answering me? Is she ok?” I stand there frantically looking around for my daughter as I call her phone over and over and still no answer. My mind starts racing as I think of all the possible scenarios race through my mind. Police cars are zooming by, sirens so loud, and I feel a tap on the back. I turn around and there she is. I feel a sense of relief, giving her the biggest hug, squeezing her tightly. Thankful she is ok!

-What can we do to end gun violence?
-Will gun violence become better or worse?
-Has gun violence become more or less of a problem in the past 30 years?
-What is your input on gun control?