On Sunday, Sept. 15, Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested after an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. On July 13, Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump during a rally, grazing his ear with a bullet. And on Sept. 4, four students were killed in a shooting at Apalachee High School.
With the 2024 presidential election just 40 days away, and multiple assassination attempts against the former president, how does this impact the topic of gun control on the ballot?
Following the most recent attempt, Trump posted on X.
“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day!” he wrote. “Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”
Current Vice President and democratic nominee Kamala Harris also put out a statement on X.
“I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe,” she wrote. “Violence has no place in America.”
One may think that after two assassination attempts in the past four months that the Trump administration would be advocating for gun safety and reformed policies, but that is not the case in this election.
According to Trump’s website, one of his campaign strategies is to “defend our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, and our fundamental freedoms, including Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion and the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.”
The Second Amendment right is one that has been heavily debated in recent years. With increases in school shootings, gun violence in America and racially-motivated shootings, voters around the nation have differing opinions about how these issues should be tackled in the upcoming election.
“I believe that stricter background checks need to occur in order to buy a gun,” a Villanova junior male who requested anonymity said. “People who have serious backgrounds with mental health issues, or are surrounded by temptation to misuse a weapon should not have access to one. I do not think guns need to be banned, but maybe an everyday family should not have an assault rifle in their home.”
“I do not think that there needs to be changes made to gun violence in America,” a Villanova senior male who requested anonymity said. “I believe in the right to bear arms, and that it is an American freedom to be able to own guns.”
The issues of gun control are not only on the national ballots, but local elections, as well. With a total of 468 seats up for election in the U.S. Congress, going to vote this November is absolutely critical.
In Philadelphia, gun violence is not only a prominent issue, but also affects Villanova and other university students. With violence occurring in areas surrounding commonly visited locations, such as within the city and creeping in closer to the Main Line, it is more critical than ever to educate oneself and learn about the different candidates’ views and policies they are putting forward regarding gun control and safety in America.
