Make America Safe (Again?)—A Case for Gun Violence Prevention Now and in The Future
NewsweekDec 13
Wisconsin School Shooting Leaves 2 Dead, 6 Injured
Above: Law enforcement officers stand near a health care clinic where students from Abundant Life Christian School have been reunited with their parents after a school shooting on Dec. 16, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. Image copyright: Andy Manis/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
A teenage student at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, was responsible for a shooting attack at the institution on Monday, killing a teacher and another student, and leaving at least six others injured.
The shooting occurred just before 11 a.m. local time at the private K-12 institution, which serves around 400 students from the Dane County area
The Spin
Left narrative
The sad irony of these recent shootings at religious schools is that conservative Christian politicians refuse to back their thoughts and prayers with actionable legislation. If they truly wish to stand on principle — and properly commit themselves to the Bible's call for justice — they should pass stricter gun laws. Without taking away God-given rights, they could easily require more robust background checks and limit people's ability to carry these weapons in vulnerable public spaces.
Right narrative
Thoughts and prayers likely do more to prevent violence than any proposed gun control laws. With 400M guns in the country, an implausibly high 90%+ confiscation rate would have to occur to make a dent in the violence. Additionally, most of these shootings take place in poor, high-crime areas like Chicago, which suggests that fixing the spiritual and cultural degeneracy of these areas rather than taking guns away from law-abiding citizens would be more effective.
Narrative C
Both the left and right can unite on gun violence prevention by focusing on economic strategy and community empowerment. For conservatives, reducing gun violence would be a great way to save billions of dollars, while progressives can support community-based solutions to curb violence, create jobs, and rebuild trust in the police. Both sides agree on the need for effective strategies, and should transcend traditional political divides for a safer, economically healthier America.