Columbine survivor: No child should worry about gunmen

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/19/opinion/lyles-columbine/index.html?hpt=op_mid

In the article, Katie Lyles argues that new legistlation is necessary to stop gun violence, specifically mass shootings. As a former student of colombine high school, she identifies her ethos as a person who experienced the fear of losing her life at a young age. Although Lyles was lucky enough to keep her life, she lost her innocence as a result of that violent day; From then on she would habitually "scan the room for exits" and have panic episodes when she would "hear the blades of a helicopter overhead.". As a current teacher, Lyles points out the scary reality of today. Kids are no longer worried about monsters in the closet or under their bed; they fear the real monsters that might angrily creep onto their playground with a loaded gun. She argues that although we may not be able to protect their minds from the events happening in the world around them, we can take active steps to stop the needless violence. First, she points out that we must take early action to identify children with mental issues and offer them proper counseling before its too late. Then, she brings up the need for enhanced school security to protect our children. Lastly, she stresses the need for new gun legistlation to outlaw high- capacity magazine clips and prevent people from getting guns without a backround check. She ends powerfully saying, "Learn from my experience -- do not wait until you experience violence first hand to realize that we need to take action. We need to take action now." By repeating the need to take action, especially at the end of her article, she further stresses that Americans need to take active measures to make life safer. Noone, especially children, should have to live their lives in fear.