USM students are raising concerns about the state’s gun laws following a recent mass shooting in Birmingham that left four dead and 17 injured.
Devices called Glock switches were used during the shooting, turning the guns into automatic pistols. After the tragedy, President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing federal agencies to combat emerging firearms threats and improve school-based active shooter drills. The order also banned gun devices that convert semi-automatic firearms into illegal machine guns.
Gun Laws vary by state. In Mississippi, one must be 18 years or older to own a gun if they meet certain regulations, however a permit is not required. A background check must occur if a gun is purchased from a licensed dealer.
USM student, Aaron Morgan expressed that it saddens him to hear that a shooting happened in Birmingham due to him being an Alabama native and how scary it is that people are advancing their weapons to cause greater harm. But he explained that seeing University Police making their rounds on camps makes him feel safe.
Due to the centralized police force and blue light telephone system throughout campus, students feel safe. But it is outside the university they are concerned about because of the many loopholes in gun laws. For example, there have been multiple cases of a parent buying a gun under their name and giving it to their child.
Another USM student, Julian Ferrell, is also frustrated with the continuous amount of gun violence in America. He does not watch the news often. But after hearing about Glock switches, he couldn’t help but follow the headline.
“I’m not going to be a college student forever who feels safe at USM, so I need to make sure my future family doesn’t have to feel this way,” Ferrell said. “It’s not my job to make sure gun laws get addressed, people need to do their part.”
Although Morgan is from Alabama, he spent a significant amount of time in Mississippi. He spent his high school years and now college years in the state. One observation that stuck with him is the constant hunting that Mississippians partake in.
“Mississippians are known to hunt so they obtain guns of all shapes and sizes, and I consider that to be unnecessary,” Morgan said. “Whatever we’re doing isn’t enough. I’m tired of feeling unsafe in my own country.”
As the debate over gun regulation continues, USM students remain concerned about whether existing laws are sufficient to protect them, both on and off campus.