Fifty years ago, American students never had active shooter drills. The threat of gunfire filling the halls and classmates, friends and teachers being wounded or killed during the school day was not even an afterthought, but Wednesday Feb. 14, seventeen students were killed at a high school in Florida by a school shooter. While this has left citizens feeling afraid or discouraged, change is still possible.

Many people are calling on the government to create policy change in order to hinder the ventures of future school shooters. Several policies have been suggested in terms of federal government regulation when it comes to gun laws, and currently, gun control laws exist on a state-to-state basis, some people believe it is the responsibility of the government to regulate gun control for the entire nation. But this proves controversial, as the government wants to tread lightly to prevent citizens from feeling as though their second amendment rights are being repressed. Despite the controversy, it is essential for both Republicans and Democrats to join forces to meet a compromise, whether it has to do with gun control or not, in order to protect the citizens.

“I think [school shootings] mean a big discussion needs to begin, and not a partisan one,” senior Lucy Newell said. “This means we need people to reach across the aisle and start working to find a solution instead of being stuck in the politics of it all.”

Something that neither side of the political spectrum should disagree on, is how essential mental health initiatives would be in preventing mass shootings. If schools, families and neighbors would take mental health problems more seriously, America could see a sharp decrease in school shootings. After countless mass shootings, family members and friends have reported that the shooter had mental health problems, was denied help or in the case of the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting last Jan., reported himself to the FBI and still went on to commit this act of violence.

 “…factors have led to alienation, a feeling of powerlessness, and rage for many people and few but increasing number of them are striking out in horrible, public acts of violence against complete strangers,” criminologist Dr. Scott Bonn said. “It demands our attention and deserves our collective resources in order to solve this disturbing trend.”

 Regardless of political belief, many believe that it is essential that for both gun control to be more regulated and for mental health initiatives and awareness to be implemented. But, despite the hope that many people have for the government to create change, citizens are also coming to terms with the fact that the federal government tends to skirt the edge of potentially polarizing issues.

“The government will probably do what they do every time something like this happens – have a moment of silence, say a few kind words and hope it gets better,” Newell said. “I would ask the government, how many more instances like this need to happen before we see real change, and how many more lives need to be lost?”