Get Behind Gun Control

As November rapidly approaches, it appears that another president will be chosen without the voice of American youth. In the last presidential election, less than a quarter of us voted, and similar results are expected for this one. Only 30 years after the voting age was lowered to 18, are we voluntarily relinquishing our political voice? The issues being focused upon reflect our apathy. Candidates expect our vote to be trivial, and are focusing on issues directed at an older demographic. Issues of campaign finance reform and health care seem far removed from our everyday lives. In essence, our inaction has created a vicious cycle which threatens to drive our voice out of the political process: Youth seem disinterested in politics, so candidates focus on issues unimportant to us, resulting in further apathy.

Perhaps the most promising issue through which we can voice our opinion is gun control. Due to Columbine, as well as far too many other major shootings in the past year, the issue has been placed in the national spotlight. Last summer a significant effort was made in Washington to pass reasonable gun legislation. Sadly, the effort was defeated due to special interests and partisan politics. Gun control is still gaining national attention, and has the potential to be a major issue in the election. A number of organizations have mobilized on the issue, most notably Handgun Control, Inc. and PAX. In addition, a Million Mom March is being planned for May, and local groups are starting up around the country. A significant political force is finally growing to oppose the interests of gun owners and manufacturers. Now that the issue has strong organizational support, youth can take action in a significant way.

In addition, the issue is particularly important to young people. We are the first generation of Americans that has grown up with gun violence. The past twenty years have seen the proliferation of shootings and gun related crime never before experienced in America. We have grown up with guns in the news, in our movies and in our own lives. Through our constant exposure to this horrific reality, we have gained a unique perspective on the issue. In addition, our age group is more affected by gun violence than any other. An average of 14 kids aged 19 years and under are killed every day by gun violence in America. That is almost one incident like Columbine each day.

In addition, youth aged 15 to 24 years old account for almost a quarter of the annual death toll from gun violence. These statistics clearly show that gun control is particularly important for youth. As the demographic most effected by gun violence, we have the duty to act on the issue. So why hasn't more student activism regarding gun control taken place? Surely the reason doesn't have to do with youth support for the issue. A nationwide survey revealed that up to 80 percent of Americans support moderate gun legislation and youth show even more support. Rather, it seems that most young people are not aware of the severity and urgency of our nation's gun violence problem.

Fortunately, the effort to educate and mobilize youth regarding gun control has started here at Harvard. Youth at Harvard Against Handgun Violence, a new group started by about 15 undergraduates, is beginning to spread the word around campus. Our first meeting, on February 15, featured Mass. State Rep. Cheryl Jacques (D-, our state's leading proponent of gun control. We are now working to inform other students about gun control through lectures, debates and petition drives. We hope that, once faced with the facts about gun violence in America, Harvard students will feel compelled to act on this important issue. Once we gain support on campus, we hope to work with state and national organizations to lobby lawmakers, encourage further youth action and, perhaps most importantly, influence the results of the coming election.

Much of the fate of future gun legislation will be decided in November. It is imperative that we, as students, become active during this election year. We have grown up exposed to gun violence. We have seen our friends die in massacres. Now we have the opportunity to let politicians know what we think about our nation's gun legislation. Let's do away with student apathy and make our voices heard.

Michael T. Wahl is a first-year living in Matthews Hall. He is the president of Youth at Harvard Against Handgun Violence.