Dear editor,

Over the course of this school year there has been 22 school shootings resulting in the deaths of 40 students. What America needs in common sense gun control laws.

First there should be restrictions placed on semi automatic weapons. A weapon that has this much destructive potential need to be regulated. This could be done in many ways. One way is to raise the age limit from 18 to 21 to buy a gun in order to make sure the people who are buying these weapons are mature enough to use them.  Another way we could restrict access to these types of guns is to have much more rigorous background checks.

Another area where common sense gun control laws could be implemented is putting a limit on magazine carrying capacity. A magazine should only be able to carry 10 rounds. This will prevent someone from inflicting as much damage as possible. A gun in the hands of a civilian should be used for hunting or personal protection and therefore does need more than ten bullets.

One more area where common sense gun control laws could be put into action is in regards to bump stocks. A bump stock is a device that allows a semi automatic rifle to mimic a fully automatic rifle. These devices are just a way to avoid the law. There is no reason that a civilian needs a fully automatic weapon at their disposal.  This is no reason, even for protection, that someone would need a fully automated weapon.

Eli Junco
Hewitt WI

Dear editor,

Guns are good. Our founding fathers thoughts they were important. So important, that, they made the right to bear them the 2nd amendment to our Constitution.

Guns have been the topic of debate recently after several shootings, including the shooting down in Parkland, FL. However, more recently, an active shooter was stopped in Oklahoma City by a citizen with a conceal and carry.

My suggestion to help fix the problem is not less guns but rather more. Guns can serve the same role as a nuke except on a smaller scale. Nations around the world use nukes as a deterrent, guns can be used the same way. I agree that background checks are needed to ensure a safe country. However, what I’m recommending is a gun policy similar to Switzerland. The Swiss government does background checks, requires a license to own a gun, and has banned automatic weapons. These small regulations have lead to a homicide rate of almost zero. Small steps can be taken rather than large ones.

Overall, this is going to take a bipartisan effort which likely won’t happen.

Seth Oemig
Marshfield, WI

Dear editor,

I am a cross country and track & field runner at Marshfield High School. As a track runner, I understand that our current track is in terrible condition.  This track has been an issue for not just the Marshfield students.  As a team, we can not have an outdoor meet held at the track at the Marshfield Middle School due to the condition of the track.  In conclusion, the school district could save plenty of money if they fixed the track at the Middle School.

In my opinion, I would hate for the school district to spend $11.2 million on a new stadium and track when resurfacing the current track would only take around $300,000. The school district could use the rest of the money to buy new uniforms and equipment. The Middle School cross country and track team have been wearing the same uniforms for decades. The sweats are falling apart, some jackets don’t have functioning zippers. With the new uniforms, there could be improvement in performance. The extra money from resurfacing the track could pay for these uniforms and so much more.

I, personally, think that the School District of Marshfield would be better served if the money was spent on fixing our current track rather than building a completely new one.

Sincerely,
Mya Williamson
Marshfield