Gun control is a controversial issue, but the right for a child to go to school is more important than the right to own an assault rifle. The time is now to reform gun control. No-buy lists are necessary to prevent people with a history of violent tendencies from obtaining a firearm. Better background checks for criminal history and mental illness should be taken seriously. Not all guns are purchased with malcontent and we, as Americans, have the right to bear arms, but there is no reason to own an automatic or semi-automatic weapon. People argue that mass murderers will find another way, so let’s make them find another way. It should not be this easy.

• Background Checks - When a mass shooting occurs, it is often later discovered that the shooter had a history of violent tendencies or white supremacy. If we do not pass legislation to implement more substantial background checks and prevent these individuals from purchasing firearms, we are only inviting further incidents.
• Assault Weapons - While the Second Amendment does does state “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”, there is no reason for private citizens to own assault weapons. These weapons are made for war, not for hunting. It is not the right of private citizen to own a weapon designed only to kill people.
• Close the Private Seller Loophole - Often referred to as “the Gun Show Loophole”, this allows individuals to avoid background checks by purchasing firearms through private sellers. While private sellers may choose to perform a background check in some instances, this exception allows careless or negligent sellers to sell guns to dangerous criminals. Private sellers need to be held accountable and perform background checks the same as licensed sellers.

Education is a complex issue that is further complicated by America’s unique culture and demographics. Our public school system has been damaged almost beyond repair by institutionalized racism, standardized testing, and politicians who do not understand the complexities of the issues. Students deserve a voice in their education, and it is long past time we give them that voice. Students bring insight and experiences that even the strongest educators lack. We will work with educators, school board members, and politicians to improve public schools for both students and teachers.

• Equal Opportunity - One of the largest problems with America’s public schools is the lack of opportunity provided to economically disadvantaged students. More often than not, a school’s funding and resources directly correlate to the racial and economic demographics of that school. Schools that have a greater percentage of Black, Latino, and economically disadvantaged students often receive less funding, when in reality, those schools need that funding more. We should be using our funding to bridge gaps, to ensure that students facing economic disadvantage receive the resources that they need to succeed.
• School to Prison Pipeline - The School to Prison Pipeline is an issue that is a remnant of segregation. Often in lower grade levels, Black and Latino students are held to different standards than their counterparts of other ethnic backgrounds. This results in these students facing harsher discipline and more severe consequences for the same infractions. Eventually weeding them out of advanced classes when they reach high school, the School to Prison Pipeline sets up minority students for future failure.
• Curricula Reform - One of the largest problems in public education is the inequality between curricula. At times, students taking the same course at the same school can have completely different experiences. This can result in lack of representation for minority students if a single teacher has biases. Additionally, students of color are grossly underrepresented across the curricula. History and literature are manipulated to favor white culture and contributions. As a result, not only is our education incomplete, biases are recycled and impact all students, regardless of race. Curricula reform is necessary to ensure students have a more broad and cultured understanding of relevant history and literature.
• Internet Access - In the modern age, broadband internet access has become a requisite for basic education. Unfortunately, an overwhelming amount of rural communities across America are still left without broadband access, forcing students to stay at local libraries until closing or do their homework in the parking lots of fast food chains, often resulting in incomplete or missing work. All students need equal access to the internet in order to make American education more fair.
• Net Neutrality - In recent years, the internet has become more of a utility than anything, and it should be regulated as one. Previous net neutrality regulations should be reinstated. Internet providers should not have the authority to slow down competing websites or force people to pay more for better access or higher speeds.