Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Thesis

Department

History

First Advisor

Vic Overdorf

Second Advisor

Shelly Furuness

Abstract

In 2023, school shooters killed or injured 249 individuals across 346 school shootings. These school shootings typically spark temporary outrage and public calls for action. In response, the National Rifle Association (NRA) weaponizes mental health, isolating these violent crimes and barring effective and popular gun control measures. The NRA has infiltrated American politics and become a powerful lobbying force, primarily through their support of pro-Second Amendment candidates via donations and campaigning on their behalf. After the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Florida, a group of survivors created the activist group, March For Our Lives (MFOL), which encourages gun reform and consistently exposes the NRA’s harmful and deadly legislation. The group campaigns to garner support from young voters and highlights the lack of concern for the lives of school-aged children by the NRA and its Florida-backed politicians. This thesis argues that NRA-funded political campaigns illustrate the violations of children’s rights to education and protection granted by the United Nations’ Child Bill of Rights.

Download

Share

COinS