President Barack Obama had a speech last Tuesday, and an executive order was made to attempt to limit gun violence within the United States. With this executive order, firearm sellers need to register themselves as licensed gun dealers in order to make sure they keep records of sales at all times. Background checks will also be expanded for buyers of firearms. Junior Timothy Croley is stricken down the middle on the issue.

“I sort of support his plan,” Croley said. “I do believe that there should be background checks for anyone who buys a firearm and anyone who does not perform one before selling a firearm should be prosecuted because they could potentially be selling a firearm to a convicted felon that has a greater chance of hurting the American people, not saying that someone who has a clean background check couldn’t preform a crime with a firearm, but if we can keep guns out of already prosecuted felons I personally feel like we’re doing the best we can to protect the public.”

He also gave his thoughts on the idea of selling firearms online, which are still allowed through this executive order, just that they’ll be monitored closely by the FBI. On top of the expanded background checks, Obama’s administration will provide more funding for mental health treatment.

“On the other hand I do not favor the idea of online guns sales,” Croley said. “I do believe that there shouldn’t be online guns to begin with, and I do not approve of Obama hiring hundreds of FBI agents to supervise our Internet activity to make sure we’re not selling guns to people without conducting a background check. I believe as the American public we have the right to buy, sell and trade guns and I believe the government has the right to force background checks but I don’t think online guns sales should be permitted.”

Making a statement within the speech, Obama recalls the shootings and lives that were taken due to the abuse of firearms. It has allowed students, many of whom are seniors currently studying government and the second amendment, who may not be directly involved in firearms, to give thought on the current situation.

“When a person buys a gun, they’re buying something that can take another person’s life,” senior Emily Hess said. “I feel that there should be more background checks in order to obtain one. Like yes, it’s the second amendment, you should have the right to protect yourself, but a lot of people are still abusing it. Like my brother in law bought an AK-47. Why the hell does anyone need an AK-47?”

While the clarification, reminder of making sure to obtain background checks and licensing was mentioned to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and no true official executive order or law was passed, the issue little signs of receding. Firearms will continue to shoot controversy from state to state, from city to city, from political power to political power as long as there is air to breathe and gunsmoke to be bought.