Universal background checks could help

It used to be, school was a place where students could feel safe. Not so much anymore. Some students are afraid they may become victims of the next school shooting, while their parents worry and hope that won’t be the case. Some think the answer to stopping these tragedies is to put more guns in schools. President Trump and others have suggested arming some teachers after properly training them. While it is possible having armed teachers could have stopped these mass shootings sooner, the answer to solving this problem is not to put more guns in our schools. How does that make our children feel safer? A better answer is to keep guns out of the hands of those who intend to cause harm. That is not easy, and not foolproof. But one step that could be taken is to approve universal background checks for gun purchases. In Wisconsin, the law only requires those purchasing guns from licensed gun dealers undergo background checks. There is no requirement that those who purchase weapons at gun shows or from private parties undergo background checks. That would be a simple step that works. In states which have adopted universal background checks there has been a 50% drop in gun deaths for women in abusive relationships and for police officers. But Wisconsin lawmakers have refused to adopt this common sense legislation. It makes sense to keep guns, no matter where they are purchased, out of the hands of those who don’t deserve them.