By: Kaiyn Grierson
Guns and vaping products, Pictures from Creative Commons.
Have you ever thought about how you are going to die? Maybe you are fighting off thieves, or running into a burning building to save someone? However you imagined it, I bet it wasn't caused by a mass shooting or vaping incident. Vaping and gun violence are both major issues in America that are causing a multitude of deaths. But if that’s the case, then why is only one out of these issues actually being dealt with?
There have been about 9,932 deaths since September 1st in America due to gun violence. Many of these gun related deaths have been caused by mass shootings, domestic violence, suicide and more. Each year, the number of shootings in America goes up.
When it comes to vaping, there have been about 23 deaths so far, this year. Vaping is more dangerous and life-threatening than any other tobacco product because they are easy to refill and don’t leave a smell. (Why is vaping harmful?) This encourages people to smoke more and not realize the consequences right then and there. These two issues are the leading causes of death for the younger generation in America.
The timeline below lists the actions taken when death from gun violence and deaths from vaping have occurred; along with how the government responded.
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Man Vaping, Picture taken from Creative Commons
Vaping Timeline (From Business Insider)
August 17th:
There have been 94 cases of vape-related illnesses in 14 states. Later that number will grow to 200 cases in 22 states.
September 3rd:
Investigations are circulating to find out the causes for so many illnesses and deaths related to vaping.
September 4th:
The FDA is encouraging people to take action in investigating the causes of vaping deaths and illnesses.
September 6th:
The FDA reports that vaping deaths and illnesses are at the top of their priorities and they are “working tirelessly” to find the cause.
September 11th:
Trump breaks his silence by announcing that he is pushing for a ban against flavored e-cigarettes.
September 15th:
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a ban on all flavored e-cigarettes, except tobacco and menthol.
September 19th:
The FDA states conducting a criminal probe into the spate of vape-related illnesses and deaths.
September 24th:
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced a 4-month ban on all vaping products, including both flavored and unflavored e-cigarettes containing nicotine and vapes containing THC sold in legal dispensaries.
September 25th:
The CEO of Juul’s talks about his point of view on the issue.
Twisted gun used to symbolize gun control (located in New York), Picture taken from Creative Commons
Gun Control Timeline: From USA Today
04/16/2007
Shooting at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., killing 32 people.
01/08/2008
The Bipartisan NICS Improvement Amendments Act
This act was passed to improve electronic record-keeping of background checks on whether people are eligible or ineligible to purchase a gun.
President George W. Bush signed passing this law.
Trump overturning this law.
12/14/2012
20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
04/18/2013
Senate takes up a host of bills:
The bipartisan bill- mandating background checks for private sales of guns
Bills banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines
Legislation's were backed would make it easier to carry guns across state lines, but that would also address mental illness, target straw purchasing, and illegal firearm trafficking and increase resources to prosecute gun crimes.
06/17/2015
Open fire at a weekly Bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., killing nine people.
10/21/2015
Bill intended to eliminate the "Charleston loophole" fails- Democrats attempted to close the “Charleston loophole.” This allows federally licensed firearm dealers to continue with their sales if the FBI doesn't do checks within three days.
12/02/2015
Open fire at a San Bernardino County Department of Public Health holiday party, killing 14 people and injuring 22 others in San Bernardino, Calif.
12/03/2015
The Senate rejected the proposal for the “no-fly, no buy” bill that would prevent or delay individuals on the terror watch list from purchasing firearms.
06/12/2016
Open fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., leaving 49 dead and 53 injured.
06/20/2016
The “no-fly, no buy” bill is rejected, again.
10/01/2017
Gunmen open fire on concertgoers from the 32nd floor of a Las Vegas hotel, killing 58 people and injuring more than 500.
10/04/2017
Lawmakers propose banning the “bump stocks” bill.
These accelerate a semi-automatic rifle’s rate of fire.
Proposal for expanded background checks was made.
11/05/2017
26 people and wounded 20 others at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
11/07/2017
GOP talks about the bill to fix background checks.
Says that buying a gun wouldn’t have been so easy and fewer shootings wouldn’t have happened.
02/14/2018
Premeditated murder in the killing of 17 students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. More than a dozen wounded.
The two timelines show the actions and the time length the government took to resolve or at least attempt to correct each issue listed.
With vaping, the problem was addressed within months. As for gun violence, the issue has been problematic for years and slow efforts have been made to combat it. In the timeline, each time there was a step forward, there were two steps backwards. The reason for this is because the government cannot come up with solutions that can be “fair” and “agreeable” to every party.
For now, as a country, we have made strides to deal with these two issues head-on. However, we still have a long way to go.
Questions and solutions, Pictures from Creative Commons
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