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It's long past time we got answers on guns

In light of the news about Parkland, it has taken me some time to figure out exactly what I want to say. This isn't something I talk about often. But I will if it's brought up or I need to bring it up.

I wasn't in that room in Cole Hall 10 years ago. Nor was I on campus. But that was my school. Those were my fellow NIU classmates that were killed.

It has been a decade since that day. Countless minutes and hours since 3:06 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2008. If I am anywhere other than home, I still always know where the exits are. I always have a few escape routes or a hiding place picked out. It's second nature to me now. I do it so quickly I don't even notice that I do it. It's part of coping, I suppose. A way to feel like you have control when these things are so uncontrollable.

I am able to forget it and move on the rest of the year. But every year, like clockwork, it all comes rushing back the middle of February on a day where we celebrate love.

There are 17 murdered children and countless others who will relive this over and over. I've been through this. Nobody else should have to. It is long past time for it to stop. Enough is enough.

Amanda Semrick

Carol Stream

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