On Friday, Feb. 7, President Donald Trump issued a first-of-its-kind executive order describing the Second Amendment as “an indispensable safeguard of security and liberty.” The order is the first step in what could be a broad reversal of the Biden Administration’s firearms restrictions.
The executive order aims to prioritize the protection of gun ownership rights, pushing back against many of the Biden administration’s stricter gun control proposals. Under former President Joe Biden, there has been a focus on expanding background checks, banning assault-style weapons and increasing oversight of gun dealers. This was seen in his Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which saw a decrease in young firearm buyers.
Trump’s order, in contrast, seeks to reduce regulations and reassert the rights of American citizens under the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms. Trump’s move may signal the beginning of a larger policy shift, potentially undoing much of the progress made in the fight against gun violence under the current administration.
Students Demand Action (SDA), a new club at Manual, may be negatively impacted by Trump’s executive orders. SDA is part of a larger national organization that was created after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. The organization’s mission is to combat gun violence in the United States. With Trump’s executive orders potentially rolling back regulations aimed at reducing gun violence, both the national organization and Manual’s club could face challenges in achieving their goals.
“I think that Trump’s executive order banning gun control really pushes back gun reform that’s been in place for a long time to protect our communities,” Kenleigh Cates (11, HSU), a member of Manual SDA, said.
They hope to continue their work so that Trump’s executive orders don’t impact the safety of Manual, and more generally, Kentucky.
“A lot of legislators turn away from the conversation around guns, because it’s controversial. However, this conversation is vital and we at SDA have been directly aiming to start the conversation,” Joanna Lee (11, J&C), a member of Manual SDA, said.
Recently, SDA increased their involvement in gun violence advocacy by hosting events that raise awareness for victims in Louisville. They also met with Kentucky State Representative Rachel Roarx (D) to discuss Kentucky firearm legislation.
“We went to Advocacy Day at the capitol last week to talk to Kentucky legislators about the changes we want to see, and I think it went really well,” Cates said.
This event was in coalition with Moms Demand Action, in which they invited Manual SDA to discuss gun reform legislation to Kentucky lawmakers. Both groups were able to express their concerns, while expanding the reach of their organization.
Cates and Lee explained that they were able to directly talk with other representatives about their opinions regarding gun control. Additionally, they were able to meet like-minded high school students to discuss further steps in progressing SDA.
For members of Manual SDA, they have directly seen the threat of gun violence throughout the Louisville community. Back in November of 2023, Manual students experienced a swatting event, or an instance in which a caller falsely alerts an establishment with a bomb or active shooter threat. This terror hasn’t left most students and its potential impact stresses legitimate gun control.
“Honestly, it’s super scary. Gun safety and control laws protect our communities from the perpetual gun violence that kills those in our country,” Lee said.
With gun violence being the leading cause of death for Generation Z in the country, they believe their club is vital to getting rid of that threat.
“Gun laws should not be political. They’re about keeping communities safe and revoking them puts a lot of groups at risk,” Cates said.
