By Boyd Bauman The unimaginable became reality again. According to script, a loner from society’s fringe thrust himself into the spotlight with the usual Second Amendment props. But this time, it was the aftermath that shocked a nation. What was it cracked the jade of American conscience? What was it made the leader of the … More The Right to Keep and Bear Reason

By Austin Davis All the kids are picking flowers but they wouldn’t dare plant them. It’s too late in the day for beauty to grow from nothing. There’s not nearly enough time before the bullets will start to rain like words of hate on a swing set and the class will have to count the … More Words from a Student

By Elizabeth Cohen  Early Bow fire-spiced wind, shadow paths distant reports shudder and holler out the valley news what is it about autumn the spilled mustard light buck droppings littering the scape   Crossbow over the loon hills they find the shy ones hiding   Youth hunt chewing gum, boot crunch wrinkle wrappers untethered sunrise … More Deer Season

By Linda Eve Diamond  We the Grieving hold candlelight vigils, voices and moments of silence spinning through darkness—as gun deaths mount and children practice active shooter drills We the Tired Masses petition, speak, write and sing to the choir, cry and shout into videos, microphones, megaphones mementos, stuffed bears and pillows We the Calculated Risks … More We the Grieving

By Margaret Koger Families that shoot together rock. Your first gun could have been a gift from Grandpa. Family heirloom guns should be hung over the fireplace. Boys and girls will love mini-model birthday guns. Five Alive! Pick one with a fun name: Cricket Savage Rascal Scout. You give a kid a gun and teach the … More A Guide to Guns for Fun

By Adam Grabowski                                                           I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose fire away, fire away. Titanium — David Guetta ft. Sia I want to be bulletproof, she says, from the … More The Plan

By Hope Gast   About the Author Hope Gast is a junior Chemistry major at the University of Pittsburgh. This erasure poem was written using an article on the NRA’s website, “10 Reasons to Own an AR-15” as the source.

By B. Jackson  There was a mass shooting in Gilroy, California. my favorite pit-stop on our drives down south my parents would often buy a fresh bag of cherries from a wooden fruit stand for all of us to share I remember squishing the cherries between my teeth letting the red juice soak my tongue … More skip 

  By Nicole Cook Bang bang I’m angry Or I’m sick Or I’m frustrated Or I’m bullied So sad Bang bang What to do? Can’t get care They’ll know I’m sick Americans are strong Americans are never weak Bang bang In the street In my bedroom At the corner store In our temples Bang bang … More BANG BANG

By Lily Connolly I see the students of my generation frazzled by fears of being shot in classrooms, +++++++++marching through urban streets during third period, writing funeral scripts+++++++++at lunchtime, Life-centered minors laying their friends to rest between political rallies and soccer practice, Feverish futurists trying to rewrite ancient scripture to prevent radioactive equipment +++++++++from taking … More ROAR