Following the Parkland, Florida shooting, a group of Lake Oswego students banded together in solidarity with students across the country. This statement isn't about banning guns or taking away people's rights. It is a statement to reflect we shouldn't be fearful to sit in school.

This issue does not have to be partisan. There is no serious debate about regulating cigarettes, cars and driving, marches, or certain types of speech. Sensible regulation is about balancing safety and liberty. Some sensible gun regulations exist now (such as sales of machine guns and anti-aircraft guns); that is common sense. We believe Oregon can further promote safer gun laws. Accordingly, we have proposed to our state representatives a series of initiatives to make Oregon safer for students and all citizens:

1. Ban assault rifles. There is no need for these weapons in civilian society.

2. Increase the age to buy (not necessarily use) firearms to 21 years.

3. Eliminate high capacity magazines to no more than six rounds. Hunters are limited to five shots for a kill.

4. Limit gun purchases to one per month.

5. If we license driving, hunting, parking and marching we surely can license and register firearms.

6. Include similar background checks and limitations on ammunition to those on firearms.

7. Limit firearm ownership for substance abusers.

8. Include firearm safety in Oregon's high school health class curriculum.

We believe the safety promoted by these eight common sense firearm ideas exceed the harm or inconvenience that would result from their implementation.

Penelope Spurr, Lake Oswego

Spurr is a Lake Oswego High sophomore and member of Students for Change, a student-led initiative to decrease gun violence and ensure public safety through the use of common sense legislation, education and advocacy.