I am a student of Ocoee High School and my peers and I have lived the fear of a potential school shooting. A fellow student was discovered carrying a firearm on school premises, a cause of deep distress and fear for all of us. The terrifying thought of not getting another chance to hug our families is ever-present. This threat to our safety is avoidable – by mandating the installation of metal detectors in Orange County public schools.

The threats of school shootings have proliferated. According the the New York Times, after the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, there have been over 700 students arrested, in accusation to making threats towards their schools, in at least 45 states across the US. 10% of those students were under the age of 12. That goes to show that any school can be shot up by anyone of any age. If they can get their hands on a gun, they'll use it. 

Not only can these devices safeguard us against potential school shootings, but they also assist in preventing the infiltration of non-lethal contrabands like vapes or cartridges, which has been a huge problem, especially in my school. According to a study published by The Journal of School Health in 2011, schools with security measures, such as metal detectors, experienced fewer incidents of vandalism, physical fights, and possession of weapons.

Our plea is clear and pressing. It is not just about creating safer spaces of learning, but about ensuring the peace of mind of students, teachers, and parents alike. Today, we urge Florida lawmakers to act on behalf of all students and implement mandatory metal detectors in all elementary, middle and high schools, starting with Ocoee's publics schools, hopefully spreading all over Florida and the US!

Join us in this fight for our lives and for the future of education. Sign the petition. Ensure our safety and the safety of generations to come.