It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly it will take to change the minds and hearts of Americans when it comes to gun control and protecting our children. It’s equally difficult to understand the depth of fear that grips so many, or what it will take to overcome it. But one thing is clear: that fear is killing our children every single day. In just the first three months of this year alone, there have been over 130 school shootings—and yet, no meaningful action is taken on gun control.

There are many factors contributing to the fear that seems to permeate much of American society, especially among older white men. One of the biggest reasons is a refusal to engage with alternative viewpoints or sources of information. When people limit themselves to echo chambers—especially the fear-driven rhetoric of conservative media—it only intensifies their anxiety, eventually leading to a kind of paralysis that can only be described as cowardice. They are fed a steady stream of alarmist messages that paint the world as a constant threat, making them feel as though they must always be on edge, ready for an unseen enemy that never comes.

Another driver of fear is the constant messaging that Americans are under attack—from liberals, immigrants, Muslims, and even their neighbors. This narrative of perpetual threat creates an atmosphere of crisis, where the need to “defend” becomes paramount. People are made to feel that they’re always at war, that the values they hold dear are under siege, and that they need to protect themselves at all costs.

Then there’s the rhetoric coming from some of our elected leaders, who paint a picture of an America under siege. The message: their way of life is being threatened, and the only way to preserve it is through the widespread ownership of guns. This narrative, despite being largely unfounded, has led many to believe that owning firearms is essential for survival, even when the statistics overwhelmingly point to the opposite.

It’s baffling that we, as a society, are willing to ban books—books that might challenge our children’s perspectives—but are unwilling to ban assault weapons, which are specifically designed for battlefield use. I have yet to hear of a child being killed by a book, yet every year, hundreds of young lives are lost due to firearms designed for war, not for our neighborhoods. The leaders who oppose gun control are, in many cases, more concerned about their political survival than the safety of our children.

The question remains: What will it take to shift the mindset of so many Americans on gun control? The answer lies in exposure to broader perspectives and a willingness to challenge our assumptions. We must realize that we are not under constant attack—and that our way of life is far more threatened by the prevalence of guns in our communities than by any perceived external enemy.

It’s time to stop living in fear. It’s time to demand real, comprehensive gun control from our leaders—not tomorrow, not next year—but today. Let’s prioritize the safety of our children over the politics of fear. The Truth isn’t partisan—it’s survival.

By William Scott