Reduce gun violence;talk to your legislators

In November 2015, there was a lock-down at Olympia High School, where I am a sophomore. It happened within weeks of the shooting in Roseburg, Oregon.

I was in the library when I heard the announcement. My teacher led us to a computer lab where my classmates and I huddled under the tables. We turned off the lights and it was silent. I was terrified. My eyes were glued to the door, wondering if someone was going to suddenly break it down and start shooting us.

Thankfully the lock-down that day wasn’t serious. But, I came to a realization. We have to do something. If high school students have to huddle under desks and fear for our lives, then something is very wrong.

We want stricter gun safety laws.

We want a background check to be done EVERY single time a gun is purchased.

We want people to leave their guns unloaded with a safety lock on them or locked in a safe.

We don’t want children getting their parents’ guns and accidentally shooting themselves or their siblings.

We don’t want teens killing themselves with their parents’ guns.

I urge readers to contact their legislators to express their concerns about gun violence. Together we can make a difference.

This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Reduce gun violence;talk to your legislators."