https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw en-us 2023-05-25 20:08:05 UTC 2023-05-26 01:31:46 UTC hello@padlet.com harrisongermick1 https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605281677 I choose the issue of gun violence, because it is very prevalent issue in the United States and in California. Thousands and thousands of people die at the hands of firearms every year, and we haven't done a very good job preventing it. Our death by firearm rates are significantly higher than other developed nations, which goes to show that if we really wanted to, we could change things for the better. ]]> 2023-05-25 20:15:31 UTC https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605281677 harrisongermick1 https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605287019 What I decided to focus on was introducing a new bill that would require potential firearm owners to bring in 2+ associates to vouch for the mental wellbeing of the customer before the purchase can be validated. I've heard of similar tactics that have been implemented in other countries, and I just think it's a incredible idea. It makes it much harder for people in unstable states who want to harm themselves and potentially others to get their hands on a weapon, while simultaneously not seriously impacting the hardcore government fearing gun enthusiasts. Especially in regard to suicides, I think that a bill like this could save thousands of lives. 50% of gun related deaths are suicides, and since guns have the highest rate of lethality amongst suicide methods (83%) it could lead to these induviduals attempting other methods with a higher chance of failure (and thus rehabilitation) or having conversations with people close to them about purchasing a firearm, which could lead to them getting support from their loved ones.]]> 2023-05-25 20:23:09 UTC https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605287019 harrisongermick1 https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605344790 Gun violence is a product of many things, but I think most of it can be attributed to societies lack of support for induviduals with mental health problems. Sure, access to guns is big part of it. But fundementally, no sane person, even with easy access to guns, would violently attack themselves or others without serious tramua influencing them. The people who make these desicions have reached a such a low point in their lives that they are willing to do terrible things. While the gun is what's used to carry out the action, the deeper issue is that as a society we allow induviduals to get to that point. ]]> 2023-05-25 22:12:41 UTC https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605344790 harrisongermick1 https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605345362 I chose to address the issue of gun violence by advocating for the introduction of a bill by working with the legislative branch at the state level. ]]> 2023-05-25 22:14:16 UTC https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605345362 harrisongermick1 https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605347965 I chose to target Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla because they are California's two senators. In California, Senators have the power to introduce legislation directly into the California senate, which would make it very easy for them to introduce a bill based on my idea. Both Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are democratic and pro gun control, so they would theoretically support the ideas I outline in my letter. ]]> 2023-05-25 22:20:59 UTC https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605347965 harrisongermick1 https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605349786 Because I'm trying to get Senator Padilla and Senator Feinstein to introduce a new piece of legislation, I need to use a tactic that's effective at conveying new information/ideas. I need to use statistics, arguments, etc. in order to get them to agree with my point of view and consider my ideas. For this task, I think videos and letters are the best medium, but since my video editing skills are kind of lacking, I choose to write a letter. ]]> 2023-05-25 22:25:44 UTC https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605349786 harrisongermick1 https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605352608 I honestly can't tell if my goal was successful or not until I get a response from Senator Feinstein and Senator Padilla. I think that my letter was well written and convincing, but Senators are busy, and it will probably have to get through secretaries before it actually reaches them. If I really wanted to further my goal, I would probably do presentations and try to convince more people that my bill is effective and a valuable change. Through this process, I learned a lot of statistics and laws from other countries surrounding gun violence and firearm-related deaths. The most surprising to me was definitely that 50% of gun-related deaths are suicides. I also wasn't very familiar with the specifics of how the California legislative branch worked and learned a good amount about the role of senators in the California legislative system. ]]> 2023-05-25 22:33:06 UTC https://padlet.com/harrisongermick1/6bnhp3g2hjfrxbuw/wish/2605352608