Our system of background checks is severely broken.(Freedom House, Creative Commons)

The fact that he had clearance to a navy base is ridiculous.

The fact that this failure of government caused 12 people to be left dead is inexcusable.

The clear governmental lapse is that Aaron Alexis had a "secret" level clearance to the Naval base where he executed his killing spree. He was given this clearance in 2008; three years later, he was discharged from the Navy. Alexis was discharged from the Navy for up to eight instances of disorderly conduct, the most severe being his disorderly conduct in an Atlanta club causing him to be kicked out due to property damage. The problem lies in that, despite the fact the Navy saw fit to discharge him, they did not revoke his "secret" level clearance.

How can a man be deemed not qualified to work in any capacity for the Navy, yet retain a clearance to sensitive Navy materials and base access? The only answer is that, due to the fact that clearances usually last 10 years, no one had the frame of mind to revoke this clearance.

And this is where the government failed the American people, especially the 12 innocent citizens who were murdered. 

Clearance of any sort should be viewed with the utmost of care, and that is clearly not the case for the United States government and its outlet organizations, such as the Navy. Until clearance is analyzed with a much more stringent eye, we still are very much at risk of events such as the shooting in the Navy Yard. Although it is true that mistakes happen and it could be argued that Alexis merely slipped through the cracks, this is not the first instance of the government failing to enforce adequate background checks before administering clearance. It was also made abundantly clear in the latest controversy surrounding Edward Snowden.

In both Alexis' and Snowden's situations, their ability to obtain clearance was a clear indicator that the system of providing clearance is broken. Snowden was provided clearance to some of the most sensitive information the NSA contained, with nothing to show to earn this clearance other than a GED and a computer science job at the NSA. With Alexis, he had already proved he was a dangerous man, given his discharge and numerous arrests regarding violence.

Although Alexis' actions resulted in deaths and Snwoden's did not, they both prove that far too many people are given governmental clearance in the United States. Until this problem is resolved, our military, national secrets, and even our citizens are at risk. Only time will tell how gravely Snowden's divulging of American secrets will affect our country as whole.

The only thing that is abundantly clear is that the administration of clearance to both military zones and national security information must be carried out much more diligently and selectively. Until the clearance system is completely overhauled, we will be forced to remain in constant fears that there will be repeat Snowden's and Alexis'. 

Although measures like more stringent gun control will be pushed following the tragedy, the only way to fully ensure that the events of both Snowden and Alexis will cease is not just by enforcing heavier requirements, but also by shedding light on the dangers of administering clearance in a relaxed fashion. It is essential that any sort of clearance is viewed as both an honor and a huge responsibility. Until our government fixes this these tragedies will remain commonplace.  

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