A recent school shooting at Brown University has left U.S. citizens questioning their safety. The shooter killed two individuals and injured several others. In response, many people have been protesting, arguing that tragedies like this one highlight the urgent need for the government to impose restrictions on gun ownership.
According to CNN, Brown University students hid under desks and behind doors, praying for their lives for nine hours straight. Some even called and texted their families to express their love. After the police failed to capture and identify the shooter, many students were left feeling terrified and unsafe, fearing that the shooter could return at any moment.
The two students who were killed were identified as Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a first-year dual student who aspired to pursue biochemistry and molecular biology with hopes of becoming a doctor, and Ella Cook from Alabama, an accomplished pianist actively involved in her community. She had a keen interest in French and Francophone studies. The deaths of both individuals have left a deep mark on the community and their families’ hearts. Brown University continues to mourn the bright stars they have lost.
This tragic incident is just one among many shootings that have left communities heartbroken and frustrated by the lack of protection from their own government. Unfortunately, school shootings have become experiences that U.S. citizens have faced numerous times before. According to Everytown Research and Policy, there have been 159 incidents of gunfire in schools so far in 2025. This figure does not even account for the numerous threats schools receive regarding gun violence or bomb threats.
As more people are being killed and injured every day, many advocates argue that stricter gun control laws could prevent tragedies like the one at Brown University. NBC News explains that supporters of stricter gun laws propose measures such as universal background checks, raising the minimum age to buy a gun, arming teachers, implementing red flag laws—which allow authorities to confiscate guns from individuals deemed a threat and banning assault weapons. Supporters of this movement argue that these measures do not violate the Second Amendment but prioritize public safety and accountability instead.
On the other hand, opponents of gun reforms claim that such laws could cause further harm and are unfair to responsible gun owners. They question whether the focus should be on guns or on the mental health issues that are the underlying causes of these problems.
Ultimately, the shooting at Brown serves as a painful reminder of the United States’ ongoing gun problems and highlights the need for changes to address this violence and keep communities safe. Schools are meant to be places of learning and safety. However, in recent years, they have become sources of fear regarding whether students will return home alive. Until the government takes real action, communities will continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones and fear for the safety of educational institutions.
