Young Republicans Club vs. Young Democrats Club: New Zealand Shooting

The shooting on March 15 at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand killed 50 people and critically injured 20. Sophomore Charlie Birt of Young Republicans Club and senior Stuart Hanson of Young Democrats Club both share their standpoint on gun reform in light of the shooting.

Multimedia by River Hennick

Sophomore Charlie Birt: Young Republicans Club

How many members are there in Young Republicans? Where and when do you meet?

“Right now we have 76 [members]. We’re meeting every couple weeks sometimes in the cafeteria, sometimes in Mr. Sandoy’s classroom.”

What is your stance on gun laws?

“I’m pro-second amendment. I don’t think that we should infringe on the rights of American citizens on what some people might concern as public safety because public safety is ensured by the second amendment. It’s also that the Constitution is what protects those rights and guarantees us those rights. We need to ensure our protection of that [second amendment]  in order to continue the protection of our citizens.”

What was your initial reaction when you heard about the shooting in New Zealand?

“I honestly did not believe that something like that would be happening in a country such as New Zealand. The cultural impact in New Zealand is going to be very big in the next couple weeks, months and years.”

New Zealand released their new legislation to ban all semi-automatic weapons. What is your opinion on this action?

“The problem I have with these new pieces of legislation is New Zealand is passing legislation because of this one shooting. Because of one shooting they are infringing upon the rights of thousands of New Zealanders [who own guns]. There are 1.2 million guns I believe and there was only one used in this particular shooting.”

How should the United States approach guns?

“When it comes to our gun laws, I don’t think we should start banning guns, because I personally think that is an infringement upon the Bill of Rights and Constitution. I think we should have very strong background checks. They [ U.S. citizens] don’t have to define a reason [to own a gun], but you should be able to know how to safely use a gun and prevent it from getting into a child’s hands.”

Would you like to add any additional thoughts?

“We’d [YRC] like to further our thoughts and prayers to the New Zealand victims and families of the shooting and condemn what happened there. We do not support anything of that sort [shootings] whatsoever, but we would like to recognize that it is a problem for New Zealanders themselves rather than Americans. We should take this into consideration when debating over guns, but we shouldn’t mold our laws around something that happened around New Zealand. We need to focus on our country.”

Senior Stuart Hanson: Young Democrats Club

How many members are there in Young Democrats? Where and when do you meet?

“There are 39 people in YDC and we rarely meet, but if it happens its in Feinerg’s room.”

What is your stance on gun laws?

“It’s within our constitutional grounds to have [a gun] and use one but in the Constitution it does not say what kind of gun we can have. It doesn’t mean you can have a AK-47 in your backyard if you want. You can set regulations on them if you want. I think the second amendment is a lovely thing but it needs to be regulated.”

What was your initial reaction when you heard about the shooting in New Zealand?

“Horror. 49 people were dead immediately and the total body count ended up at 50. It’s just horrible. I don’t think there should be other emotions than just horror and tragedy.”

New Zealand released their new legislation to ban all semi-automatic weapons. What is your opinion on this action?

“I think they are well within their bounds of their own government and that is great for them. That would not be able to be passed in the United States because of inaction of thoughts in prayer. But New Zealand’s government and people are fine with it too. New Zealand needs to do what’s best for New Zealand and banning semi automatic weapons is shown to decrease the amount of shootings. So if it will protect the people I full-heartedly support it.”

How should the United States approach guns?

“I think the United States has done way too little. It took until Las Vegas even to ban a bump stock. Yes, the AR-15 is not an assault rifle. “AR” does not stand for assault rifle, it stands for Armalite, however it does not mean you need a semi-automatic weapon at your house. I go shooting with my grandpa every once in awhile; we have shotguns and go duck hunting. We do not need an AR-15. The Supreme Court has decided many times and the Constitution has allowed it for self defense, but there needs to be a case that says you don’t need an AR-15 for self defense.”

Would you like to add any additional thoughts?

“I think the United States needs more gun control that will allow for a safer place for a much more diverse population. The founders were right to give us the abilities and means to protect ourselves but the founders also failed to see where technology would take us.”