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