Many of us in our community are deeply saddened by the tragedy that struck Virginia Tech this week on the morning of April 16, 2007. A troubled individual, Cho Seung Hui, a South Korean national and a U.S. legal resident, took things to the extreme by taking the lives of 32 of his fellow VT students and ultimately himself.



Is it possible that such a tragedy could have been prevented? What kind of sentiment could there be toward other Asians and not just people of Korean descent? Should we foster the same sentiment to Cho Seung Hui as Americans did with Chai Vang, another Asian who took the lives of fellow hunters in 2004? To whom should we be pointing the finger?

It is a sad situation that precious lives were taken so suddenly during the shooting spree of Virginia Tech student, Cho Seung Hui. I, a proponent of the right to keep and bear arms, agree with gun control advocates that this event should not have happened. Some of us question as to how this individual could have obtained a gun.

A fellow college friend of mine introduced me to firearms many years ago. Before laying my hands on a handgun, I used to be deathly afraid of them until she invited me to go to the firing range. Not even a month, thereafter, I purchased my very first handgun at the age of 22 and never looked back.

I distinctly remember the firearms vendor having me fill out an application and answer a few questions. The state in which I purchased my first gun required a two-week waiting period. Voila! I took home my new pistol after the waiting period was over.

It was easy to get a gun because I am a U.S. citizen with no felony convictions. But the question is should non-citizens be allowed to obtain firearms? That is a question that many Americans and resident aliens should debate. I believe this is where the system has failed us and allowed a foreign national to obtain a firearm.

Although I am all for the 2nd Amendment right to keep arms and the rights of immigrants looking to obtain U.S. citizenship, it is my belief that this tragedy at VT could have been avoided if the system did not allow the sale of firearms to non-U.S. citizens.

Just think what would happen if gun shops were selling AK-47's to Iraqi nationals living as legal residents in the U.S.? What would be going on in other peoples' minds if this were to happen especially in a post-9/11 world? How could we know if these legal residents will not use firearms in an illegal manner?

It is my belief that legal residents be allowed to keep firearms, but ONLY if they become U.S. citizens FIRST. They must pass that one obstacle to U.S. citizenship before they can make their first gun purchase. Is it not a fact that the founding fathers of this nation made the 2nd Amendment a right for all Americans and not non-Americans?

Many conceal-carry states have state laws that require their applicants to be U.S. citizens before they are allowed to carry a concealed handgun. How come our federal law says it is okay to sell a gun to a person who is merely a legal resident?

Something needs to change. Something is not right here. If federal law was consistent with the state laws, 33 students at Virginia Tech would still be attending classes today.

It is my opinion that legal residents can be allowed to hold jobs, get financial aid for a college education, and buy alcohol (if they are over 21), but not buy a gun. Guns are very controversial tools of defense whose sale should only be limited to Americans.

Do legal residents have the right to defend themselves when confronted in a violent situation such as rape or mugging? Of course, and with the help of a defense tool such as a stun gun or pepper spray. But not with a firearm yet until a judge gives them the oath of U.S. citizenship.

In case you are wondering who is writing this article, my parents are of Southeast Asian descent and immigrated to the U.S. many years ago. They became naturalized Americans. I was born in the U.S. which makes me, by birth, an American who has the right to buy and carry a firearm. I do not foster any ill sentiments toward the Korean community or anybody who is a legal resident. I certainly hope that this week's tragedy does not promote racial prejudice toward the Asian community.