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According to a 2024 article by CNN, the U.S. has witnessed at least 50 school shootings, with 37 occurring on K-12 school grounds. Sadly, these tragic incidents have claimed the lives of 24 people, injured 60 others, and left countless individuals with scars from the aftermath of these events. Although the initial months of the pandemic saw a significant decline in school gun violence, the years following it have shown significant increase. In fact, 2023 documented over 80 school shootings, and 2022 became one of the deadliest years on record, with nearly 50 casualties.

As we enter the final stretch of 2024, pressing questions remain: When will these senseless tragedies end, and what are we willing to do to ensure that no more lives are lost? The escalation of gun violence in our schools cannot continue to be met with inaction. We are in an era where bold decisions must be made to safeguard our children and their teachers. No longer can we afford to be complacent. The time to act is now because our schools must be safe places to learn!

Thousands of Public School Children Have Been Impacted by Mass Shootings

Easy access to firearms as well as limited regulation has led to thousands of women, men, and children being murdered every single year. Since the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999, mass school shootings have impacted the lives of nearly 400,000 students   as a result of 417 school shootings nationwide. These school shootings have caused a resounding alarm for parents and have created an unsafe learning environment for their children.

Parents and Other Citizens Want Answers While Lawmakers Are Divided on Solutions

In the aftermath of this latest shooting, parents and other citizens are looking for answers from their elected officials. Hours following the deadly shooting at Uvalde, lawmakers were divided about the need to reform gun laws. Some officials deemed the need to restrict access to guns through more proactive gun legislation as a matter not to be addressed. Instead, this group of lawmakers proposed arming teachers and school administrators, increasing the number of campus police officers, and instituting limited entry access to schools as solutions to this problem.

However, in early June 2022, members of the House of Representatives passed wide-ranging gun control legislation after hearing the emotionally-charged testimonies of Uvalde shooting survivors. One of the most compelling testimonies came from an 11-year-old student who pretended to be dead by smearing herself in her classmate’s blood. Consequently, the bill passed, and President Biden signed into law the most significant gun safety legislation passed by Congress in almost three decades. The legislation encourages states to adopt red flag laws, allowing courts to remove firearms from individuals considered a danger to themselves or others. It also broadens the existing domestic abuse gun ownership ban to include dating partners, not just spouses. Additionally, the bill strengthens background checks for gun buyers aged 18 to 21.

We Must Act Now to End School Shootings

As we once again mourn the loss of innocent children and members of the education community, the question becomes, “What must we do to end school shootings?”  One solution for citizens is to increase the number of public school advocates who will work to ensure schools are not only equitable learning environments but are also safe places for children.

Additionally, parents and other citizens must raise their voices and require elected officials to stand up for children when making policies and laws that impact public education. When elected officials refuse to ensure the safety of our nation’s children, then the citizenry must exercise their power and vote for individuals (in local, state, and national elections) who will ensure public schools are safe and secure places to learn every single day. Finally, another method that has proven effective in curbing gun violence is the institution of “Red Flag” laws which allow courts to temporarily seize firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others.

For the millions of students who go to public schools across this nation, a high-quality education is required, and studies have shown that students learn best when they feel safe. When it comes to these senseless shootings, it’s past time for all of us to do the right thing.  Change will only happen when we take action. Let’s work together to advocate for equity  as well as safety in our nation’s public schools. We owe it to our children.