Note_20231005_1230

The main idea of the transcription is the discussion of gun control and the lack of change in the system despite ongoing mass shootings. The conversation highlights various shootings, including those at Columbine High School, King Soopers, Las Vegas, Stoneman Douglas, and Rock Elementary. The discussion explores the need for stricter gun control laws, including thorough background checks and consideration of mental health. The conversation also touches on the normalization of mass shootings and the lack of emotional response from individuals. The transcription concludes with a mention of legislation and public opinion regarding gun control, but the speaker expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of these measures. The conversation ends with a discussion of personal actions taken to address the issue, such as avoiding guns and following social media pages supporting gun control. Okay, so I'm here with Elsie, and how do you spell your name? I-L-S-E. And then what is your email? I-V, like my student email, or? Yeah. Okay. Spell it out. I-L-E-E-6-5-2-7-at-colorado.edu. Okay. I'm Diego, and you may be meeting Elsie today, and I would like to introduce you to the topic of today, which would be gun control. Okay. So I'm going to ask you a few questions about it, and like educate you about it, and see where we can go from there. Okay. So gun control, like the main idea is that America has faced a crisis where citizens feel unsafe to go out in public and send their children to school, and target is not seeing any change in the system. Cities across the nation have faced devastating mass shootings. That includes even our own state at Columbine High School, here in Boulder itself at the King Soopers. A major one, too, was the 2017 Las Vegas massacre. The major is Stoneman Douglas one, and a recent one that has, like, really, how do you say it, popped up conversation is the Rock Elementary one in Uvalde. And so after all these ongoing mass shootings that have been lost, families shattered, survivors scared for their lives, and still no change. So I wanted to ask you, like, what do you know about gun control, and, like, why do you think we haven't seen change yet? What I know about gun control is that, well, I mean, it's like a whole system, right? And it's, like, it's not changing because, like, certain people still think about, like, the Second Amendment and, like, the right to bear arms. But it's, like, you can have, like, that right, but you still have to, like, consider, like, how this, like, law, like, these laws have, like, hurt, like, children. And you have to put, like, the children first because they're, like, the future. And so it's, like, I don't think, like, there's change, really, because they're still, like, oh, my God, they're thinking, oh, like, I just can't have a gun at all. But, like, we need to, like, implement, like, background checks, like, proper ones, and not just, like, oh, like, you can have one right now, like, it's fine. Like, when it's not really fine because, like, look at, like, what happened at Columbine, like, Robb Elementary and, like, how long it took them, like, the police to get in because they were, like, scared of, like, the shooter when there was literal children in there screaming for their lives. But I think it's, like, interesting because, like, literally there was a shooting, like, by my school, like, in my high school, and it was sad how, like, so many people were just unfazed. They were just, like, oh, okay, like, there was a shooting, and they just told us, like, don't come back. But, like, people weren't, like, really scared. It's, like, a normal, like, it's very normal for us, and, like, it's a norm, which is, like, weird and sad. Like, now, it's, like, that's, like, that one thing that we shouldn't let mass shootings be a society normalization. Yeah, yeah. You know what I mean? I feel like people are, like, oh, like, oh, it's just another mass shooting. You know what I mean? Yeah, like, we shouldn't, oh, another one? Okay. Okay. Like, we shouldn't just be like that. Like, not do anything about it. Yeah, and it's, like, sad. So then time after time, cities after cities, people are protesting and speaking up for a change. People have realized they have to take matter into their own hands. Like, you just said that you said there was a shooting by your school. Could you go more off on that, how that experience was, and, like, what your community did to, like, if they did anything, like, to implement something, or, like, what was their motive afterwards? Because, like, the shooting started because it was, like, not really gang-related, but it was, like, these guys, and I don't know what happened, but I don't know, the guy had a gun, and then he went back to school, and, like, it was just, like, weird because he was still in high school, and why did he have access to that gun, to that weapon? But I remember, like, the next day, like, we went back to school the next day, and it was like it was nothing. Like, we were just like, oh, did he hear about, like, someone got shot? And then, like, it was just, like, like, sometimes, like, the teachers didn't even bring it up because it was just normal for us to, like, be scared. Because, like, there's been many incidents at my high school where, like, we've been threatened to, you know, like, it was a bomb or, like, a shooting because, like, our own homecoming that year got canceled, and then rescheduled because there was a guy threatening to shoot up that school. So it's just, like, normal for us, and, like, it's sad because we're not really fazed by any of, like, of the shooting. Like, I'm not fazed by it. Like, I do get a little scared, but it's like, oh, like, my mom and dad have warned me about, hey, whenever you're in, like, a certain area, a public area. We're not even in a public area because, like, a shooting can happen anywhere. So, like, they've just always told me, like, look for an exit, look somewhere that you'd hide or, you know. And so, I don't know. I just, like, I can't, like, I can't see why, like, I'm just, like, so unfazed because, like, it's so normalized. So, yeah. Yes, thank you for that. And so, like, I don't know, what have, have your other, maybe family members or friends experienced something with gun control? And, like, what was, like, that type of emotion not only for themselves but for you, too? Mm-hmm. Like, did you have any? Not really. Like, I can, like, see how, like, angry my mom and my dad get with these shootings, like, specifically school shootings because they see how school is supposed to be a place where we just learn. It's not supposed to be, oh, my God, I might die today, like, in class because I'm trying to learn. And so, they just get mad, like, they get really worried with that and why there isn't, like, much change with gun control because my mom, like, has a rule in high school that I wasn't allowed to go to school, like, April 19th or April 20th because people try to recreate what happened in Columbine. And, um, that literally happened with the girl that was trying to, like, shoot up the school and, um, because she was, like, inspired by Columbine. And I just think it's disgusting. Yeah. Yeah. I agree with that. Um, some facts about gun control that I would like to go into is that, I don't know if you know, but just last year after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary in New Maltese, Texas, where a gunman entered the school killing 19 children and 2 adults, a new legislation passed called the Boyfriend Loop, which expands background checks for people that are trying to buy a weapon under the age of 21. Mm-hmm. So then my next question that I have for you, um, what gun control laws currently exist that you know of? I don't really know any. I just know that they're, like, not good, clearly, because there's multiple shootings and there's, like, it keeps happening over and over again. But I just know that, like, they do, like, somewhat of a background check. Like, they're, like, what's, like, let me see your ID. But it's not thorough. Like, there's no, like, medical act, like, mental health aspect. Like, is this person, like, in the right mental, like, headspace to be purchasing a gun? Do, like, are they, like, securing it in a, like, well enough place so that their kids or anyone, like, can just, like, get into it? And, like, these questions aren't being asked when someone's, like, purchasing a gun, which I think is, like, stupid, because that's a whole weapon. You can kill someone with that. And for it to just be treated like, oh, like, I'm going to get, like, a kitchen knife or something is stupid. Okay, another piece of fact about gun control is the following information from the New York Times shared that a Gallup poll conducted in June found that 55% of participants were in favor of a ban of the manufacture, possession, and sale of semi-automatic guns. A majority of respondents also supported other measures, including raising the legal age at which people can purchase certain firearms and attacking a 30-day waiting period for gun sales. And my question is, do you think implying these new ideas and legislation laws can enhance our safety across the nation? Not really. It doesn't really, like, it does matter, like, when, like, the maturity level. But if you're going to do something that sinister, you're going to do it no matter how old you are. It's just, like, it won't really do much unless, like, we have, like, stricter gun control laws. And, yeah. Has there anything that you've done in your power, because anyone here in the United States is able to speak up for themselves or advocate for anything. Is there, like, anything that you've done or have tried to done, or, like, even, like, the smallest things, like, maybe, like, follow a page on Instagram that supports gun control? Like, what have you done that, like, tries to, like, resolve this issue and crisis? Like, I, I don't want guns. Like, I, I don't want a gun. I don't want to be near a gun. Like, I tell, like, my mom and my dad, like, they're, like, oh, like, maybe let's get a gun. And, like, I tell them, no. Like, sure, you want it for safety, but you never know, like, what crazy person is, like, out there and, like, will try to, like, take it or something. Or, like, I don't know, like, I get paranoid that, like, one of my siblings is going to become crazy, and then they're going to do something like that. So, I just try, like, to get, like, as far away from guns. Like, not avoid the topic, because if you're avoiding the topic, then you are the problem. But, like, I just, like, try to, like, be, like, very, like, I don't like that boundary. Like, hey, I don't want a gun near me. I don't want to ever be, like, near a gun. Like, I just, I hate it. And, like, I do, like, follow, like, pages that, I forgot the name, but, like, pages that do, like, you know, support, like, those restrictions with gun control. And, like, just, like, on TikTok, I repost things with, like, gun control and, like, the rob shooting or Columbine, even. And, like, also, like, I remember in elementary school, like, it stuck out so much to me, but we had to do this thing called Rachel's Challenge, and she was one of, like, victims that, you know, got shot in Columbine, and how she was, like, always, like, so nice to everyone. And how she, like, believed, like, even if you're nice to just one person, it'll ripple off to everyone else. So, like, that really stuck out to me, and I try to, like, support that. Like, even if, like, I'm having a bad day, like, just because I'm having a bad day doesn't mean I have to, like, project that to someone else. So, like, I try to always be nice to everyone else because of her, because of what I was taught back in elementary school. That's cool. That's very interesting. I've never heard that. Like, I feel like this issue or any issue, like, the aftermath or, like, the impact it can have can be negative and can be positive. Like, for example, like, people have taken, like, precaution or, you know what I mean? Like, I don't know if you've seen, but people, like, March for Our Lives after the shooting in Parkland in 2018, I believe. Yeah. They started a movement, you know? Yeah. So, like, what do you think that how people are taking this crisis across the nation will help us? Like, what do you think, like, the motive and they're trying to do will do in the future? If that makes sense. Yeah. Like, I think it makes, like, a bigger impact that our generation is trying to do something about it, because we're the ones that are mainly, like, affected by it. Like, it's always, like, a school shooting. And, like, I remember, like, how... Because, okay, because remember, like, the Aurora shoot? It was in Aurora, like, in the movie theater? The Peter shooting? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. One of my mom's co-workers died in that shooting. So, like, just, like, thinking about it and, like, how young she was, like, why wouldn't I, like, speak up for someone that, like, died because she was, like, in her 20s? And, like, why wouldn't I want to speak up for someone that's, like, that young? Like, she had a whole life and it got, like, she got cheated by it because of a stupid guy that decided to just go crazy. But, yeah, like, I think that, like, us, like, the younger generation trying to stop that, like, shows how tired we are of, like, hearing of a problem that's not fixed. Like, we keep on bringing it up and there's not, like, a single thing that's really done about it. It's just, like, hey, like, it's normal. Like, just don't worry about it. Like, it's going to happen. Like, so I just think it's stupid and, like, that we have to go through this. But I remember for the Parkland shooting, I, like, my school did do, like, a walkout because we were just, like, tired of it. And I remember, like, it wasn't just us. It was also teachers that joined in because why should they also be scared to go to work and, like, teach children but have that, like, in the back of their head? Like, oh, my God, I might, like, I might, like, encounter a shooter. I see what you're saying, yeah. It, like, really, like, ties in with everything that it's like. It's just, like, at this point, I feel like with everyone, even me, like, I have that little thought in my head, like, oh, hey, like, what were to happen if I get into a situation like that? You know, what do I do? What do I do, you know? And I feel like we aren't taught what to do. And I feel like none of this should happen because that there just needs to be stricter gun laws, you know? But my next question I would like to dive into is the counter argument of this problem. It's a really big one. So let me give some facts about it. And so it's legislators have been debating that if we were to limit the access to guns to our citizens, it goes against our Second Amendment, like you said at the beginning of the interview from the U.S. Constitution. They also say that mass shootings happen due to the gunman's mental health illness, not the easy access to fire weapons. And my question for you is, as this has caused many conversations of mass shooting, do you think mental health has a part to do with how many mass shootings our patients face? There is, like, a part. Because obviously, if you think about killing someone, there's already something not right with you. And, like, I can, like, tell, like, I can see why, like, oh, my God, one of my rights is being taken away. But that Constitution is so outdated. It says all men are created equal, but that was only for, like, certainly white people and, like, just men in general. It wasn't, like, people of color. It wasn't including all of that. And I'm pretty sure the Founding Fathers said, like, that Constitution needs to be revised every few years, and it hasn't. And for us to, like, revise it, it's not going against what they believed. It's just, like, them, like, people now thinking that one of their rights is being taken away, which that's not the case. It's just, you know, like, maybe we should implement better laws to protect people. And it's, like, confusing, because those laws would also be protecting them. So do you think implying these rules or, like, revise the Constitution, do you think it will create chaotic across nations? Do you think people will get mad? I know people, like, will get mad, because it's, like, a part of our history. I'm not saying, like, destroy it, but maybe, like, change, like, not change directly the Constitution, but just laws to work around it. And, you know, because, like, what's happening right now, it's not right. It's not right for us to be scared. I agree with you. So to tie in with that, what do you think are the top priorities that our society needs to focus on right now to reduce mass shootings? I think we need to focus more on, like, the mental health aspect, because, like, it's just now becoming, like, formalized to go to, like, a therapist and seek help, and just being able to accept, like, hey, it's okay to ask for help. It's okay to not be okay, as long as you get help. If you don't get help, you're just going to be miserable, and you're going to cause, like, destruction, and it's not going to end well for, like, anyone. So, like, checking up on that mental health aspect and, like, doing proper background checks is going to, like, help, and focusing on not just, like, oh, I want to have a gun, like, realizing that it's not all just about you, but you have to be selfless and, like, sacrifice certain things in order to, like, keep people safe. And I think it's, like, really important to, like, look at the statistics and realize that we are, like, one of, like, the countries that, like, has the most mass shootings, like school shootings. Like, it's not really heard of Switzerland and someone going into a school and shooting up that school. It's, like, unheard of, and it's just sad, like, how other countries see us. Like, if you were to ask them to, like, imagine us and, like, draw us out, we would have a gun, and that's just, like, stereotypical, but yeah. Also, I feel like a major fact that, like, really implies with gun control is educating others. I feel like there's a lot of people out there that are not educated on this issue. Like, they know what it is, but, like, not, like, the core values of it, you know. Like, when I think of mass shootings, I, like, take different parts of it, and my critical thinking of it in, like, a timeline, I guess you can say, is that, so what happens, like, I feel like people get stuck after, oh, another mass shooting. How many people died? Is the gunman arrested or died? That's it. Like, there's no more. Like, that's just it. That's just what's covered. You know what I mean? But people actually don't have that to see where, how families and loved ones are affected, and then what is being done, what hasn't been done, and how can you help, you know. So, I wanted to ask you, like, what are ways that we can educate our system and our people to, like, know that this issue is really, really important? Just, like, looking, like, probably, like, in history, or, like, one of those, like, advisory classes, like, talking about, like, hey, if you want to get a gun, like, there's nothing wrong with that, but make sure you store it in the correct place. Like, make sure it's out of reach. If, like, you have a gun, like, educate your children. Hey, I have a gun in the house. Like, this is what it can do, and it can hurt you, and, like, you shouldn't just be, like, handling it like that, like it's, like, a toy or something like that. And, like, I like that you brought up how, like, no one really, like, asks about the family, or they don't, like, ask about, like, what happened before. They don't want the full, like, picture of it. They just only ask about, like, the now, and not really what happened before or after, and how it affects, like, people get, like, you know, bad people get inspired by those shootings. Like, people always get inspired by Columbine, and this is what happened. Like, another shooting will happen. Yeah, I just feel like people need to really, like, really need to, like, understand, you know, better, you know. It's not that hard, and I feel like maybe, like, the cities, like, across, like, Denver, New York, Chicago, like, big cities or even small cities, they can provide places where there's, like, maybe, like, a convention or, like, workshops or something where people can go to and educate themselves, you know, about it, you know. Because it's, like, it's just more important to, like, get everyone on the same page, you know. So, you know, I feel like that needs to be done soon, but, like, you know, that's not going to be done because, like, as we notice that, like, as people have to, like, if we want to see change, it has to be done with us first. Like, we have to do it first. Like, we can't rely on our government, you know. And that's the sad truth, but it's been going on forever because Columbine happened in 1999, and it's now 2023, and there has been several deadly mass shootings where people are just tired of it, you know. So, I wanted to ask you, like, what change do you hope to see in the future? And not, like, for yourself, but still, like, I'm going to ask you, like, in different ways, okay. So, for yourself, for your community, for the state of Colorado, and then, like, our nation. I just, like, with myself, I just want to see, like, maybe, like, change in a way with, like, more open-mindedness because, like, me, I don't want to be, like, near a gun. Like, I despise guns. I never want to be near one, and I find them disgusting. But, like, it's to the point where I just never, like, I don't want anyone that I know to have a gun, which I know, like, you can make your own choices. Like, I understand that, but, like, I get, like, weary and anxious. I'm like, oh, my God. At any point, this person can become crazy and shoot me. And then, as a community, I just want us to, like, not be so, like, this is, like, this goes, like, into, like, you know, like, the state of Colorado and, like, just overall the country. Yeah, both. It goes into both. And how, like, it's so hush-hush. Like, oh, my God, just drop it. It's just, like, you're being dramatic or something like that, and I just, like, don't want that. I want that to stop. And how people are just, like, trying to, like, hide it and act like that's not what's normalized. And I think that's just sad, and I want that to change, and I want to see that in the future, but, like, in the near future. I don't want to wait, like, 30 years for something to be done because this is something that's, like, been happening, and they're ignoring all of these, like, red flags and thinking it's, like, that's fine when it's not really fine. And I don't, like, I want people to realize that we do have the power to change, like, these laws. Like, that's, like, that's literally democracy. That's, like, we the people have, like, the choice to use our voice and, like, tell the government what we want and what we don't want and what we hate and what we don't like. And I just want people to, like, realize, like, hey, you have, like, a voice. Like, this goes for, like, all, like, the questions. Like, this goes for all of them. Like, I just want them to, like, realize it's not just gun control. Like, you can speak up about anything that you want. And, well, like, that's, like, what's in the Constitution, too, for the First Amendment. Like, you have the freedom of speech. You have the freedom to do all these things, take advantage of it.