To the Editor:

Though there are many important topics in today's society, gun control is a crucial one.

There are different opinions about gun control and whether or not it infringes on our second amendment rights or if it is "necessary and proper."

Many people who carry firearms do so either as a sport, or as a method of protection.

However, the kind of firearms an individual can have and how many rounds, or bullets they can have is where the debate lies.

As a sportsman, I know there is no need for any firearm that is fully-automatic, or shoots while your finger is on the trigger. In addition, there is no need for magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds.

Whether a person is protecting themselves or hunting, there is no reason for them to have 30 round magazines and AK-47s for them.

There is another side to this argument, nonetheless. Vice-President Joe Biden said in an interview with Talking Points Memo, there is no need for a fully-automatic firearm to defend one's home. He instead suggested citizens buy "double-barrel shotguns" for their protection needs.

Unfortunately, after this statement, on March 13, a man in upstate New York killed four people and a police dog with such a shotgun.

Violence due to firearms will always be an issue in this nation as long as there are not more hurdles needed to pass in order to acquire a firearm. I am absolutely for background checks and believe it is our best chance of lowering the amount of gun violence in the United States.

On the other hand, there will always be those who believe with their heart and soul that their firearms are not to be taken away from them. I completely understand that mentality and I have the utmost respect for it, but something must be changed if the amount of gun violence is to be lowered.

Whether it is controlling firearms or magazines, change is needed; it is no longer an option.

Gabriel Lebond

Emmaus High School