The Battalion, March 26, 2018 by The Battalion

Fighting for the future A Battalion special package

Aggieland’s march with a message Students, B-CS locals join in on campus branch of worldwide demonstrations By Savannah Mehrtens @SJMehrtens As hundreds of demonstrators marched down the brick-paved path of Military Walk, Emma Watson, public health sophomore, shouted “We want change” from a white and blue megaphone, followed by an echoing chorus behind her. The March For Our Lives event in College Station was one of 846 sister marches held worldwide on March 24 held to advocate end gun violence through legislation. These marches were brought to life after the deadly shooting on Feb. 14 at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which ignited a national conversation about gun law reform, mental health and public policy. Organizers estimate between 1,200 and 1,500 attendees showed up to the event, which began at Rudder Plaza at 5 p.m. and concluded at approximately 7 p.m. Watson, along with five other Texas A&M students, formed the local March For Our Lives event to work around the schedule of The Big Event, a yearly service project for A&M students. Their goal was to provide students the opportunity to participate in both events, according to Samira Choudhury, event organizer and biomedical sciences senior. “We are just so happy that the Bryan-College Station community has come out to support us,” Choudhury said. “We have had so many people register to vote, people are loving the sign making, we have really great stickers, really great speakers and we’re just really excited by how the event is going.” Student Body President Bobby Brooks, economics senior, was one of seven speakers who spoke before the march began. He spoke about social change in a tumultuous political environment, and said he felt this was the first time he was able to push for action on more serious national topics during his political career at A&M. “The crowd is so excited to be able to take a stand for something that we believe in and I love to be able to be a part of that,” Brooks said. Ray Frisbie, retired entomology professor, said

he attended the march because he believes gun reform must happen through policy change. “I’m on the side of school children that are being slaughtered by guns,” Frisbie said. “So, I think assault weapons, if you look at Sandy Hook, Columbine and Parkland, all those kids, assault weapons were the major thing.” Frisbie said he would like to see change through a complete ban and removal of guns categorized as assault weapons. “That is not going to please the [National Rifle Association] at all, but the NRA needs to come to terms with this, because basically we’re sacrificing our children for what they think is a Second Amendment right,” Frisbie said. “The Second Amendment is not the right to kill kids or other people, that’s why I’m here.” George Cunningham, sports management professor, attended with his wife and their three daughters. Cunningham said there is a tipping point of the need for change, which he felt even before the rising national attention to gun violence. His daughter, Maggie Cunningham, who is currently in the sixth grade, was by his side.

AGGIELAND’S MARCH ON PG. 5

4 Savannah Mehrtens & Brandon Holmes — THE BATTALION

1. Freshman Hana Farid walks in the march. 2. Freshman Alex Martinez gets active in the march. 3. Organizers Haley Motsenbocker and Emma Watson lead the College Station march. 4. Economics senior and Student Body President Bobby Brooks spoke before the march.

A N A LYS I S

Experts discuss policy solutions to gun violence problem Texas A&M professors talk school security, gun restrictions, mental health and the conversation on calls for reform By Taylor Fennell @TaylorPaige1299 There have been 17 school shootings in which someone was hurt or killed this year, according to a CNN article. In each of these events, at least one person was shot by a perpetrator on a school campus, with environments ranging from high school classrooms to college dorms. These events have sparked discussions of policy solutions among Congress, families and students, and yet no solution has been agreed upon. Three professors at Texas A&M discussed gun violence and school shootings, making it clear multiple actions must be taken to ensure the safety of the American public. A spotlight has recently been cast on the notion of arming teachers, according to Danny Davis, lecturer and director of the homeland security certificate program. Davis said he would recommend this policy to school boards if he still had children in school. “I believe schools need selected staff and teachers that are armed,” Davis said. “They need to be trained and practiced with those weapons. If you’ve got a big campus of a thousand or 3,000 kids and you’ve got two policemen on it, there’s no way they can be everywhere.” Arming educators would not be a simple task because schools could be liable for potential incidents, according to Kirby Goidel, communication professor and director of the Public Policy Research Institute. Goidel said training programs would be necessary in order to avoid accidents. “The idea that having someone present who knows how to use a weapon and is capable of using it and is trained to use it, having them available, maybe that’s helpful, but let’s not just give teachers guns,” Goidel said. “If we’re going to give them guns, let’s put them through some sort of training so they know what they’re doing and get them prepared so if something happens, they can act like a police officer.” Goidel said solutions such as limits on assault rifles could save lives by reducing the amount of damage a shooter can do in a short time period. “A lot of people talk about limiting guns and access to things like the AR-15,” Goidel said. “That may not limit the number of mass shootings, but it would limit the damage that a single individual could do if they dePOLICY SOLUTIONS ON PG. 5

Graphics by Dean Zhu — THE BATTALION

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REQUIRED • Be a Texas A&M student in good standing with the University and enrolled in at least six credit hours (4 if a graduate student) during the term of office (unless fewer credits are required to graduate); • Have at least a 2.25 cumulative grade point ratio (3.25 if a graduate student) and at least a 2.25 grade point ratio (3.25 if a graduate student) in the semester immediately prior to the appointment, the semester of appointment and semester during the term of office. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (4 if a graduate student) must have been taken for that semester; PREFERRED • Have completed JOUR 301 or COMM 307 (Mass Communication, Law, and Society); • Have demonstrated ability in writing, editing and graphic design through university coursework or equivalent experience; • Have at least one year experience in a responsible position on the Aggieland or comparable college yearbook.

Application forms should be picked up from and returned to Douglas Pils, Student Media General Manager, in Suite L410 of the MSC. Deadline for submitting application: 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2018.

Megan Rodriguez — THE BATTALION

Wooden crosses stand as memorials near the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, decorated with photos and memorabilia of the church members who died.

Texas tragedy prompts togetherness First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs rebuilds after the deadliest shooting in state history By Megan Rodriguez @MeganLRodriguez The 26 white crosses along the road. The fence covered in encouraging messages. The original church stripped of its pews, painted white and replaced with chairs and roses to represent each victim. Every one of these memorials partners with the faith of the congregation and community, pushing them to move forward, reminding them of the brighter future ahead. On Nov. 5, 2017, lives were shattered after a gunman opened fire on the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs during their Sunday morning service, killing 26 people. As the deadliest shooting in modern Texas history, the event became a focal point throughout the United States. Institutions and individuals from across the nation have rallied around the congregation and are assisting in rebuilding the church. Bradford Beldon, roofing company owner, started a GoFundMe two days after the shooting and has raised over $1 million for the new building. Myrick Gurosky and Associates are designing the new church, while the North American Mission Board is paying for any construction and design costs not covered by donations. Church members are using a temporary building to meet for service until the new one is built. Scott Gurosky, president of Myrick Gurosky and Associates, said the company has been involved in many types of projects and specializes in church development. According to Gurosky, working on designs for the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs has been different from any other project due to how recent the tragedy took place and the strong emotional aspect of the situation. “This just happened in November, it’s not like it happened years ago,” Gurosky said. “It’s still fresh. With every client, the first thing we try to do is determine what the needs are for the church. It’s different in this scenario because the need is so obvious but there are a lot of things that need to be gone through and dealt with … There is a much deeper meaning and sense behind this building than just bricks and mortar and architecture.” On the day of the shooting, Sutherland Springs resident Stephen Willeford ran to the church with his AR-15 when his daughter told him she heard gunshots. Willeford called out to the shooter from across the road, drawing him out of the church. After shots were exchanged, the perpetrator drove away and Willeford got into a truck with a local responder who was passing by to chase after the gunman for 11 miles. The shooter pulled over on the right side of the road and Willeford stood nearby with his gun until police arrived, finding the shooter had committed suicide. Before the shooting, Willeford was not a member of the

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First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs but had been involved with the congregation for years through volunteer projects. After the tragedy, he said he has attended their services more frequently. “We’re rebuilding and there’s more people in the pews at the church now than there were before,” Willeford said. “This incident has brought people together and brought people to worship in that church. I know my neighbors even more now. We’re even closer. The town is rebuilding and it’s going to be a better place than it was before and it was already the best place in the world.” Willeford said there has been an overwhelming amount of support from around the world in the form of prayers, letters of support and donations to cover the cost of funerals, college funds for young survivors and the rebuilding of the church. Willeford said while all of these actions are incredible, he thinks people can also help simply by learning from the community in Sutherland Springs. “It’s amazing how Sutherland Springs supports each other,” Willeford said. “I keep getting asked, ‘What can America do for Sutherland Springs?’ This has become my theme: what America can do for Sutherland Springs is be more like them. Be more like the community that came together in tragedy, pulled together and worshipped God.” The official design for the church and plans for the future will be announced at a press conference in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, according to Gurosky. “I think it’s a big milestone for the country,” Gurosky said. “I think it’s a big milestone for the church especially, but it goes well beyond that because it’s a victory. They didn’t succumb to this, they stood above it. We are big believers that God is still in control and has a plan for this church and it’s going to be a glorious thing when it’s built.”

Megan Rodriguez— THE BATTALION

The First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs has been transformed into a memorial. The congregation has been meeting in a temporary building until the new church is built.

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THE BATTALION is published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the 2018 spring semester and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media,a unit of the Division of StudentAffairs.Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising call 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com. Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.

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Candidate comparison

Take a look at the senatorial candidates’ stances on gun policy By Taylor Fennell @ TaylorPaige1299

Ted Cruz

Via Creative Commons

“The answer is that we should be targeting violent criminals. That’s what works. That’s what’s effective and that’s what I had been pressing and do and what I’ll continue to do.” Legislation: Original sponsor of S.2502 Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2018 What the legislation does: • Requires federal courts to submit information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database • Establishes a federal task force to ensure prosecution of gun violence • Criminalizes straw purchasing of guns and trafficking firearms Policy Stance: Keep guns out of the hands of convicted criminals, fix NICS Last NRA Rating: A+ Total NRA contributions: $77,450

Timeline: a history of gun politics in the United States

Beto O’Rourke

“There’s going to have to be some rational limit to our ability that keeps more people in our community safe and alive.” Legislation: Original co-sponsor of H.R.5087 Assault Weapons Ban of 2018 What the legislation does: • Make it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer or possess a semi-automatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD) Policy Stance: Ban all assault rifles Last NRA rating: F Total NRA contributions: $0 Editor’s note: NRA ratings are created by the National Rifle Association and evaluate voting records, public statements and questionnaires. Via Creative Commons

1791 — The Second Amendment

President at the time: George Washington The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution are ratified, outlining protection of personal civil liberties. The Second Amendment in what is now called the Bill of Rights relates specifically to Americans’ freedom to possess weapons for their defense: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

National Rifle Association — 1871 President at the time: Ulysses S. Grant Union Army veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate form the National Rifle Association. Church writes that the goal of the organization is to “promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis.” Over the years, the group has facilitated education and competition in marksmanship while distributing information on gun-related legislation. Today, the NRA has grown significantly in both capacities, organizing widespread firearm training programs and maintaining governmental influence as one of the nation’s most powerful lobbying organizations.

Federal Firearms Act — 1938 President at the time: Franklin D. Roosevelt The Future Farmers of America required gun manufacturers, importers and sellers to obtain a federal license. In addition, sellers were required to maintain customer records and were prohibited from selling to “prohibited purchasers,” such as convicted felons.

The Bill of Rights was written in New York City’s Federal Hall in 1791.

1934 — National Firearms Act President at the time: Franklin D. Roosevelt Enacted as part of President Roosevelt’s “New Deal for Crime,” the National Firearms Act becomes the nation’s first major piece of federal gun control legislation. The act is seen as a potential detterent for acts of extreme gang violence, such as the St.Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929. Policy points: The manufacture, transport and sale of certain guns outlined in the act were subject to a special tax. NFA guns were required to be registered with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Guns and accessories taxed and registered under the NFA were shotguns and rifles with barrels less than 18 inches long, machine guns and firearm mufflers and silencers.

1939 — United States v. Miller Gun Control Act — 1968 President at the time: Lyndon B. Johnson President Johnson begins to push for stronger federal gun regulations after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. Following the assassinations of Attorney General Robert Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, Congress passes the Gun Control Act. Policy points: Stricter licensing and registration on the firearms industry. Prohibition of mail-order shotgun and rifle sales. Guns imported into the country must be “generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes,” such as hunting and organized target shooting. All new guns manufactured in the U.S. must be printed with a serial number. Continues prohibition on sale of guns and ammunition to “prohibited purchasers” such as convicted felons and others considered a potential threat to public safety. Imposes federal jurisdiction over “destructive devices,” such as bombs and mines.

President at the time: Franklin D. Roosevelt The U.S. Supreme Court rules against Jack Miller, who had been charged under the National Firearms Act for transporting a sawed-off, double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun across state lines and claimed the charge was a violation of the Second Amendment. In a unanimous decision, the court rules the right to keep and bear that specific weapon is not protected because it has no reasonable relationship to the preservation of a well-regulated militia described by the Second Amendment.

The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington D.C.

1986 — Firearm Owners Protection Act Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in aboard Air Force One in Love Field, Dallas, following the assassination of John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963.

Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act — 1993 President at the time: Bill Clinton On March 30, 1981, White House Press Secretary Jim Brady is shot in the head by a gunman attempting to assassinate President Reagan. Brady suffers permanent partial paralysis and spends years working with his wife, Sarah, to advocate for gun control measures. Publicly supported by President Reagan in 1991 and signed into law by President Clinton in 1993, the Brady Bill focuses on background check requirements for the purchase of handguns. The requirements are later extended to the purchase of rifles and shotguns. Policy points: Requires that buyers purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer must first pass a background check to ensure that they are not a prohibited purchaser. Establishes the National Instant Criminal Background Check System through the FBI.

The scene outside the Washington Hilton Hotel after a gunman wounds President Ronald Reagan, Jim Brady and two law enforcement officers during an assassination attempt.

Tiahrt Amendment — 2003 President at the time: George W. Bush Added to the U.S. Department of Justice appropriations bill by U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt, this amendment limited the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms’ ability to disclose information on where criminals purchased firearms, only allowing the data to be shared with law enforcement officials or prosecutors involved in a criminal investigation.

2008 — District of Columbia v. Heller President at the time: George W. Bush The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling sets a new precedent for the interpretation of the Second Amendment, focussing on “an individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation,” as opposed to gun ownership in the context of a citizen militia. Dick Anthony Heller was a Washington D.C. police officer who argued the district’s gun policies were restrictive to the point of violating the Second Amendment. Carrying an unregistered firearm was illegal and Heller took issue with the fact that handguns were prohibited from being registered. The district also required any firearms stored in the home be disassembled, fitted with a trigger lock or otherwise inoperable. In a 5-4 decision, the majority of justices decided both the handgun registration ban and gun storage requirements violated the Second Amendment by placing undue restrictions on an individual’s right to bear arms for home and personal defense.

President at the time: Ronald Reagan A 1982 Senate subcommittee assessing the role and intent of the Second Amendment finds “what is protected is an individual right of a private citizen to own and carry firearms in a peaceful manner.” The committee suggests federal reform is needed to preserve civil liberties of firearm owners and prevent abuse of power by regulatory agencies. Four years later, President Reagan signs the Firearm Owners Protection Act into law. Policy points: Prohibited the government from creating a registry or database of firearms, firearm transactions or firearm owners. Allowed licensed dealers to sell firearms away from their usual places of business by attending gun shows in their state. Provided federal “safe passage” protections for citizens transporting firearms through states where possession of those firearms would be illegal. Prohibited civilians from owning or transferring machine guns manufactured after May 19, 1986, the date the act was passed.

1994 — Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act President at the time: Bill Clinton A section of President Clinton’s Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 establishes prohibition of guns categorized as assault weapons, with the exception of those lawfully possessed before the act went into effect. Congress allows the ban to expire in 2004. Policy points: Prohibited the manufacture, transfer and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons, including: a group of 19 specific types and models as well as “copycat guns” meant to emulate them or any semi-automatic weapon accepting a detachable magazine and including at least two “military features,” specified by the act such as a collapsible stock or flash suppressor.

2005 — Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act President at the time: George W. Bush After victims of gun violence file several successful lawsuits against gun dealers and manufacturers, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act is signed into law by President Bush, protecting the firearms industry from similar legal action in the future. The act’s stated purpose is “to prohibit causes of action against manufacturers, distributors, dealers and importers of firearms or ammunition products, and their trade associations, for the harm solely caused by the criminal or unlawful misuse of firearm products or ammunition products by others when the product functioned as designed and intended.”

Timeline Information compiled by Luke Henkhaus. All photos via Creative Commons.

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Don’t contest the protest Criticize the message, not the assembly Brad Morse @BradSMorse53

O Alyssa Denson — THE BATTALION

HelpLine provides support, information and intervention for Texas A&M students under the supervision of Student Counseling Services.

HelpLine Awareness Week brings education about mental health The on-campus call center has reached its 23rd year as a resource for Texas A&M students By Savannah Mehrtens @SJMehrtens HelpLine Awareness Week begins March 26 and aims to promote the volunteer-based call center, while raising awareness of its services. The Texas A&M HelpLine is a service to provide a listening ear to callers outside of the normal student counseling services business hours, operating between 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. during weekdays and 24 hours on the weekend. The staff is predominately volunteers of undergraduate, graduate and former students of A&M who are supervised by the professional staff of the student counseling services, according to the HelpLine website. Helen Sanchez, psychology senior and HelpLine program aide, said HelpLine is a resource for the community which serves during the after-hours of the student counseling services. Anyone in the community who passes their training can volunteer. “We are a student organization that provides a listening ear, referrals and crisis intervention to any student or anybody who knows A&M students and is concerned about them,” Sanchez said. “HelpLine volunteers, we are a diverse group made up of undergraduate students, graduate students and former students at Texas A&M … anyone who goes through our training program and makes it past that is welcome to join the line, so we are open to anyone.” Susan Vavra, HelpLine coordinator and Class of 1993, has been with HelpLine since its inception, just over 23 years ago in January 1995. When the HelpLine began, it was limited to only the evening hours, but eventually expanded to the current schedule, according to Vavra. “The HelpLine was started before many of today’s A&M students were born,” Vavra said. “We have a really rich history on this campus, and obviously the need exists or the service

wouldn’t exist.” Vavra said even though it is easy to send a message from a smartphone app, the actual act of talking to another person about an issue is significantly more helpful. “There’s so many avenues for electronic communication, but there’s still so much value to verbally talking out what is concerning you, what’s weighing on you, what you just need to make that human connection with another person to be able to know that somebody is hearing your story,” Vavra said. Although HelpLine volunteers are trained for their positions and have the same standards of confidentiality as a licensed professional psychologist, they are not equivalent, according to Vavra. “HelpLine was set up to really be a listening ear and a sounding board so that callers were still welcome to call us from really anywhere talking about anything,” Vavra said. “We are clear that it’s not a counseling session, we’re not a professional licensed psychologist. However, that being said, they’re very well trained and they are supervised by professional staff at the Student Counseling Services, so we know they’re incredibly competent to be able to handle whatever comes in to the line.” HelpLine volunteers cannot reach out to callers, even if a call is interrupted, Vavra said. Callers to the HelpLine must make the first step to reach the HelpLine and can end the conversation on their own terms. “We always want the caller to be in control of when it’s a good time to phone us,” Vavra said. Madilynn Rutherford, psychology and neuroscience senior, said she has volunteered with the HelpLine since the end of her sophomore year because she wants to improve the lives of people in the community. “The pure purpose of it is just to help others, to help fellow Aggies and that just meant a lot to me,” Rutherford said. “Just knowing that whenever someone just needs to talk about anything, that I could be that person to listen to them and listen without judgement.” The HelpLine is available from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends. To reach the HelpLine, call 979-845-2700.

Layout of legislation A quick look at the proposals intended to curb gun violence By Luke Henkhaus @luke_henkhaus As Americans face the realities of recent mass-shootings, lawmakers have answered the call for change on many different fronts. From better enforcement of existing regulation to creative solutions for school security, these are a few of the bills introduced as potential preventatives of future tragedy. To become a law, each proposal must pass through both the Senate and the House of Representatives and receive the signature of the president. STOP School Violence Act: Introduced by Rep. John H. Rutherford (R-Fla.) Policy goals: Provide additional funding for safety and prevention training in schools for students, teachers and law enforcement officers. Increase school security technology, including anonymous reporting systems to gather information on potential sources of violence. Rep. Rutherford: “I know from my time as sheriff that school and community safety requires a multi-layered approach. The STOP School Violence Act strengthens several vital layers of that security by giving students, teachers, and officers the resources and the training they to identify warning signs and keep violence out of our schools and away from our children.” Status: Passed the House Next step: Pass the Senate Assault Weapons Ban of 2018: Introduced by Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.) Policy goals: Prohibit the sale, transfer, production and importation of: semi-automatic rifles and pistols with a military-style feature which can accept a detachable magazine, semi-automatic rifles with a fixed magazine which can hold more than 10 rounds, semi-automatic shotguns with a military-style feature, any ammunition feeding device which can hold more than 10 rounds and 205 specifically-named and listed firearms. Rep. Cicilline: “Assault weapons were made for one purpose. They are designed to kill as many people as possible in a short amount of time. They do not belong in our communities.” Status: Introduced Next step: Pass the House

Fix NICS Act: Introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) Policy goals: Create more rigorous standards and regulations to maximize the effectiveness of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and provide resources to help federal agencies and states comply with NICS procedures. Sen. Cornyn: “The calls from the American people to address gun violence in our schools and communities have been deafening, and I’m grateful we’ll soon get that chance. Fixing the background check system will help save lives and reduce the likelihood of what occurred in Parkland and Sutherland Springs from happening again.” Status: Introduced Next step: Pass the Senate BUMP Act: Introduced by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) Policy goals: Prohibit the sale of bump stocks and other devices which allow semi-automatic weapons to effectively operate as fully automatic when fired. Sen. Heinrich: “There’s no possible defense for anyone owning bump stock devices or any other devices that take a semi-automatic firearm and allow it to be used as an automatic firearm. We need pragmatic gun law reforms to end mass shootings that are devastating our communities and this is one of them.” Status: Introduced Next step: Pass the Senate Age 21 Act: Introduced by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) Policy goals: Raise minimum age for to purchase assault weapons from 18 to 21 years old. Sen. Flake: “If the law says someone under the age of 21 is too young to purchase a handgun, then it ought to say they’re too young to purchase an assault weapon. This bipartisan fix is long overdue, and would’ve made as much sense before the tragedy in Parkland as it does after.” Status: Introduced Next step: Pass the Senate

n March 24, hundreds of Texas A&M students and Bryan-College Station residents came together to participate in the local March For Our Lives event, joining thousands of Americans across the nation who did the same. On the morning of the protests, the National Rifle Association posted a brief message alongside a membership drive video. “Today’s protests aren’t spontaneous,” the message read. “Gun-hating billionaires and Hollywood elites are manipulating and exploiting children as a part of their plan to destroy the Second Amendment and strip us of our right to defend ourselves and our loved ones.” In response to The Battalion’s coverage of the local protest, commenters on social media accused students of skipping The Big Event service project to protest — even though the organizers of the march at A&M specifically scheduled the event so students could attend both. All over, the voices of young people in particular were dismissed as uninformed, and the act of protesting was described as more of a nuisance than an exercise of constitutional rights. Americans disagreeing with each other isn’t a new phenomenon — Americans have differed in their views since our country’s founding, and will continue to do so until the end of time. However, much of the criticism the protestors faced this weekend have no ground to stand on. When the Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution, they included 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights, detailing personal freedoms and rights every American citizen is guaranteed, while limiting the government’s power to infringe upon those rights. The first and foremost right the Founders detailed is the First Amendment — in addition to freedom of religion and freedom of the press, every American citizen has the right to come together in a peaceful manner and defend or promote their ideas, which is promised through another part of the First Amendment: the freedom of speech. The rights included in the First Amendment are there for a specific reason: the idea that one can openly criticize their government without fear of retaliation, something the Founders did not have the luxury of while part of the British Empire. It comes before any other amendment for good cause — a government which censors what its constituents can say is no government of the people at all. Just because an individual does not agree with what a protestor has to say does not lessen the protester’s right to protest. Just because a protestor has something to say doesn’t make their ideas any more ‘right’ than those who oppose them. But criticizing the right to protest in a peaceful manner misses the point of what the Founders envisioned. If they were here today, the Founders would likely commend those who marched on Saturday for exercising the rights they gave all Americans. Arguments can, and will, be made about whether or not the Founders would agree with the message of March For Our Lives, but the Founders would likely discredit groups such as the NRA for dismissing the act of protesting or claiming that protests are impeding their Second Amendment rights. The First Amendment is in place to allow all people in this great nation to criticize the government’s legislation, including other amendments in the Constitution. This is a right explicitly given to ensure the will of the governed remains just that, ensuring the voices of the American people are heard, no matter what they have to say. One certain right does not cancel out the validity of another. America has undergone numerous changes throughout its history. Things once outlined, or not outlined, in the Constitution have changed in accordance with the wishes of the American public — changes which would not likely have come to fruition without the freedom of assembly. An individual can disagree with what a protestor has to say to their heart’s content. However, this alone does not discredit the right to protest. Criticizing the act of protesting instead of focusing on the actual issues is not only ignorant, it sets a dangerous precedent — one the Founders were trying to avoid. Brad Morse is a sociology senior and editor-in-chief for The Battalion.

INFORMATION UPDATES All information is up-to-date as of print. To check the status of any of the acts mentioned, go to congress.gov and search their name.

FROMTHEFRONT

The Battalion | 3.26.18

[

AGGIELAND’S MARCH CONTINUED “I don’t think that people should be shooting each other to solve problems, I don’t think that’s the way you should do things,” Maggie Cunningham said. “A lot of people [at school] have been talking about it, and I just hope that it never happens again.” Josh Wilkinson is a Democrat running for the Texas House of Representatives in District 14 and an A&M library associate. Wilkinson said along with the need to address toxic masculinity and mental health in regards to violence, elected officials in office should take action to end gun violence by putting common sense gun legislation in place. “I’m just here to show my support for the young people who have decided that enough is enough,” Wilkinson said. “Our elected officials need to start paying attention to them; they are the ones who are suffering and they are the ones who have lived their entire lives in fear of guns in the classroom.” Rick Kennedy, a Democrat running for United States Congress in Texas’ 17th District, said he came out to demonstrate support for discussion about gun violence. “We are in the beginning of a unique movement here,” Kennedy said. “The young folks are starting something that I hope will be sustained for a very long period of time, and I’m hoping we are at the beginning of a very long and effective conversation about reducing gun violence in this country.”

POLICY SOLUTIONS CONTINUED -cided to engage in a mass shooting. They still might be able to get a pistol or some other type of weapon, but by limiting their ability to quickly fire, you can limit, possibly, the damage. But that doesn’t mean you can limit them from engaging in the violence in the first place.” The area where change can be affected is within local government, according to Davis. “I think communities around the country, [through] their elected school boards and elected officials, really need to address this,” Davis said. “Security at schools and other public venues is what needs to be talked about. For example, at a school you’ve got to have controlled access. You’ve got to have a secure perimeter around the campus. There’s got to be a point of entry or points of entry that are monitored by adults and you also need to have video surveillance.” Local governments produce the most innovative solutions to problems because they

“Our elected officials need to start paying attention to [young people]; they are the ones who are suffering and they are the ones who have lived their entire lives in fear of guns in the classroom.” Josh Wilkinson, Texas A&M library associate

]

Savannah Mehrtens, Brandon Holmes, Taylor Fennell — THE BATTALION

The March For Our Lives protest on Saturday saw hundreds of citizens utilize their First Amendment rights. Among them was Diane Bedford (top right), a former student of Stoneman Douglas High School, who spoke to the crowd before the march.

aren’t as partisan as state and federal governments, according to Goidel. The problem, he said, is citizens will see the change reflected in their local taxes. “Local governments can try and improve school security, depending on how the school boards and school districts are set up,” Goidel said. “They can try to do more to provide security, but of course that costs money. Then the question is, are the people who say we should have more security in the schools, are they willing to pay additional local taxes in order to have it?” Because of Dillon’s Rule, which says state governments have ultimate power over local government, municipal government actions are not always a good solution, according to Dwight Roblyer, political science lecturer. “What local government can do is largely bounded by what state government will let them do. That’s a reality check that most local residents don’t realize exists,” Roblyer said. “Local governments have no powers that are specifically given to them by the federal gov-

ernment or any state constitution. Ultimately, every local government’s power is delegated from the state and can be pulled back at any time.” Goidel said another part of the discussion is mental health, which he says is crucial. “I think that’s important in terms of trying to make sure we’re providing resources to people who need them and to help address concerns where they arise, to help identify people who are having problems and to try to get them help,” Goidel said. “I think all that is possible.” When addressing the mental health aspect of the issue, Roblyer said advocates for mental health policy and supporters of gun control should come together to find a compromise. “Mental health is something that is always brought up,” Roblyer said. “People say, ‘This isn’t a gun issue, this is a mental health issue.’ Maybe it’s both. Compromise always means that you have your desired position, but you’re willing to accept something less.” Ultimately, Goidel said while the Consti-

tution has been revised and reinterpreted over the years, the legacy of the Second Amendment makes it hard to define which restrictions could be successful. “A lot of people who have guns, as they say, are law abiding citizens, so they have them because they like them,” Goidel said. “So then the question is, ‘What do you do to take away guns from someone who might be violent?’ Well, unless they’ve been violent before, it’s very hard to do so. You can put things in place [where] people who have been diagnosed with mental illness might have a harder time getting a weapon than someone who hasn’t been diagnosed. That in itself is a question about the amendments because of due process issues. Can you just take away someone’s Second Amendment right because they’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness? I don’t know. I think this is a tricky issue, especially when you get into the constitutional issues around it.”

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The Battalion | 3.26.18

Cornyn’s cause Texas Senator aims to strengthen existing background check system By Taylor Fennell @TaylorPaige1299

CONGRATULATIONS! 6,600 shiny new Aggie Rings will be delivered at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center

April 13

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April 14

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Aggie Ring Tickets will be distributed online at tx.ag/ AggieRingDayTicket beginning at 7 a.m. on March 30 through Aggie Ring Day. Limited tickets available per 15 minute timeslots.

Visit tx.ag/RingDay for more information, parking, transportation and ensuring the best experience for you and your guests.

Celebrate responsibly. The Association of Former Students and Texas A&M do not endorse or support any activities involving binge drinking.

Less than two weeks after the shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Senator John Cornyn introduced a bipartisan effort to strengthen the federal background check database. Senate Bill 2135, or the Fix NICS Act, which was originally introduced with seven co-sponsors on Nov. 15, 2017, is a bill which would hold federal and state agencies accountable for uploading criminal records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database, maintained by the FBI. The bill was passed in the House last year and is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee. It now has 77 co-sponsors and is supported by organizations such as the National Rifle Association and Everytown for Gun Safety. The NICS database is used to check if a potential gun buyer has a criminal background in order to determine if they are eligible to buy a firearm. It is designed to prevent people with histories of felonies, mental illness, drug abuse and domestic abuse from owning a gun. Currently, there is no enforcement policy associated with the system, which results in legal purchases of firearms by individuals who may be unfit. The Fix NICS bill was written in response to the shooting in Sutherland Springs, where a former Air Force serviceman opened fire in a church, killing 26 people. The shooter had faced a court-martial on four charges, but the Air Force failed to report his history to the FBI. If the information had been in the NICS system, the man would not have been allowed to purchase a firearm. “Just one record that’s not properly reported can lead to tragedy, as the country saw last week in Sutherland Springs, Texas,” Cornyn said when he introduced the bill. “This bill aims to help fix what’s become a nationwide, systemic problem so we can better prevent criminals and domestic abusers from obtaining firearms.” In addition to requiring states to create NICS implementation plans, the bill creates a Domestic Abuse and Violence Prevention Initiative and gives assistance to federal and

Provided by Gage Skidmore via Creative Commons

Texas Senator John Cornyn introduced a bill in response to the Sutherland Springs, Texas, shooting.

state agencies that comply with the requirements. In a letter to Cornyn, Ruth Glenn, executive director of the National Coalition against Domestic Violence, said the bill addresses a priority held by both gun violence prevention advocates and gun rights advocates. “Domestic violence misdemeanants and respondents to permanent domestic violence protective orders are among the people prohibited from possessing firearms, but states’ and federal agencies’ submission of these records to NICS have been woefully inadequate,” Glenn wrote. While the bill is supported by legislators and organizations on both sides of the aisle, many have said it cannot be the only policy change regarding guns. John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, reflected this sentiment. “If all Congress does is pass the Fix NICS Act, then lawmakers will have failed to meet this moment and do their job,” Feinblatt said. “This bill is a small step forward. Congress needs to do much more.” As the Fix NICS Act sits in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Cornyn continues to fight and gain support for the bill. “I’m not going to go home and tell my constituents in Texas I didn’t do my very best and didn’t do something meaningful that would save lives in the future, and Fix NICS is the best way to do that and do that now,” Cornyn said.

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