| Many of us in our community are deeply | | | | Just think what would happen if gun |
| saddened by the tragedy that struck | | | | shops were selling AK-47's to Iraqi |
| Virginia Tech this week on the morning | | | | nationals living as legal residents in |
| of April 16, 2007. A troubled | | | | the U.S.? What would be going on in |
| individual, Cho Seung Hui, a South | | | | other peoples' minds if this were to |
| Korean national and a U.S. legal | | | | happen especially in a post-9/11 world? |
| resident, took things to the extreme by | | | | How could we know if these legal |
| taking the lives of 32 of his fellow VT | | | | residents will not use firearms in an |
| students and ultimately himself. | | | | illegal manner? |
| Is it possible that such a tragedy could | | | | It is my belief that legal residents be |
| have been prevented? What kind of | | | | allowed to keep firearms, but ONLY if |
| sentiment could there be toward other | | | | they become U.S. citizens FIRST. They |
| Asians and not just people of Korean | | | | must pass that one obstacle to U.S. |
| descent? Should we foster the same | | | | citizenship before they can make their |
| sentiment to Cho Seung Hui as Americans | | | | first gun purchase. Is it not a fact |
| did with Chai Vang, another Asian who | | | | that the founding fathers of this nation |
| took the lives of fellow hunters in | | | | made the 2nd Amendment a right for all |
| 2004? To whom should we be pointing the | | | | Americans and not non-Americans? |
| finger? | | | | Many conceal-carry states have state |
| It is a sad situation that precious | | | | laws that require their applicants to be |
| lives were taken so suddenly during the | | | | U.S. citizens before they are allowed to |
| shooting spree of Virginia Tech student, | | | | carry a concealed handgun. How come our |
| Cho Seung Hui. I, a proponent of the | | | | federal law says it is okay to sell a |
| right to keep and bear arms, agree with | | | | gun to a person who is merely a legal |
| gun control advocates that this event | | | | resident? |
| should not have happened. Some of us | | | | Something needs to change. Something is |
| question as to how this individual could | | | | not right here. If federal law was |
| have obtained a gun. | | | | consistent with the state laws, 33 |
| A fellow college friend of mine | | | | students at Virginia Tech would still be |
| introduced me to firearms many years | | | | attending classes today. |
| ago. Before laying my hands on a | | | | It is my opinion that legal residents |
| handgun, I used to be deathly afraid of | | | | can be allowed to hold jobs, get |
| them until she invited me to go to the | | | | financial aid for a college education, |
| firing range. Not even a month, | | | | and buy alcohol (if they are over 21), |
| thereafter, I purchased my very first | | | | but not buy a gun. Guns are very |
| handgun at the age of 22 and never | | | | controversial tools of defense whose |
| looked back. | | | | sale should only be limited to |
| I distinctly remember the firearms | | | | Americans. |
| vendor having me fill out an application | | | | Do legal residents have the right to |
| and answer a few questions. The state | | | | defend themselves when confronted in a |
| in which I purchased my first gun | | | | violent situation such as rape or |
| required a two-week waiting period. | | | | mugging? Of course, and with the help |
| Voila! I took home my new pistol after | | | | of a defense tool such as a stun gun or |
| the waiting period was over. | | | | pepper spray. But not with a firearm |
| It was easy to get a gun because I am a | | | | yet until a judge gives them the oath of |
| U.S. citizen with no felony convictions. | | | | U.S. citizenship. |
| But the question is should non-citizens | | | | In case you are wondering who is writing |
| be allowed to obtain firearms? That is | | | | this article, my parents are of |
| a question that many Americans and | | | | Southeast Asian descent and immigrated |
| resident aliens should debate. I | | | | to the U.S. many years ago. They became |
| believe this is where the system has | | | | naturalized Americans. I was born in |
| failed us and allowed a foreign national | | | | the U.S. which makes me, by birth, an |
| to obtain a firearm. | | | | American who has the right to buy and |
| Although I am all for the 2nd Amendment | | | | carry a firearm. I do not foster any |
| right to keep arms and the rights of | | | | ill sentiments toward the Korean |
| immigrants looking to obtain U.S. | | | | community or anybody who is a legal |
| citizenship, it is my belief that this | | | | resident. I certainly hope that this |
| tragedy at VT could have been avoided if | | | | week's tragedy does not promote racial |
| the system did not allow the sale of | | | | prejudice toward the Asian community. |
| firearms to non-U.S. citizens. | | | | |