Gun violence is a social justice issue that continues to present as a public health crisis. In particular, mass shootings spark various emotions and grab the nation’s attention as the news broadcasts the crisis. School shootings continue to occur, and a response is needed for change to happen. Students, school faculty, local communities and first responders are the first to be impacted by a school shooting. Since 2018 the U.S. has had 67 school shootings, eight of them in the current year of 2021. Ten Injuries and deaths occurred in these eight shootings, even with school closures due to pandemic guidelines. Sandy hook promise outlines gun violence and school shootings facts. Firearms are the second leading cause of death among American children and adolescents. Of school shootings, ninety-three percent were planned. What do these facts mean? These numbers support our argument to increase gun control due to high rates of death and injury. As well as gives support to the idea that awareness and training could be possible solutions to decrease incidents of school shootings.

Testimonials:

Columbine- Melissa Miller was outside when the first rounds of shots were fired and pipe bombs were thrown. At first she thought it was a prank until she saw her friend get shot and fall down as a pool of blood started to form. She recalls the event to be very quiet and the sounds being made were nothing like expected. Melissa stated that it wasn’t until the shooters went inside that screaming and panic started to happen. Being outside when this all started Melissa saw the shooters and described them as having no expressions on their faces. Once she was able to, she ran and got help. She stated the uncertainty of friends being alive or dead caused many tears. She also mentioned when she was able to finally get her backpack back that she had left at the school it brought back all the fear she had from that day.

Virginia Tech University- Colin Goddard states that he is one of 7 who survived from the class that he was in of 17. Ten years later he states he is struggling with lead poisoning as a result of the gunshot.

 Randallstown High School- William Thomas had a dream of playing for the Morgan State University football team however this dream was taken away as doctors say his chance to walk again are slim to zero. William was shot in the neck and shoulder while trying to help someone get up who had fallen running away from the shooter.

Chardon High School, Ohio - Libby Copeland reflects six years later on the day there was a shooting at her high school. She shares about the day and explains how trauma can warp and change a life. Libby spoke with CoCo who had a daughter in school during the shooting. Libby states after this conversation is “when I started to understand just how deeply something like a school shooting could affect people—people who weren’t even in the school or who didn’t lose someone close to them. That it could be a kind of earthquake that still reverberates, six years later. That a whole town could be marked by this day and could send its young into the world marked, too—some of them drinking, depressed, cutting, suicidal.” CoCo stated that her daughter who was in class during this tragic event now suffers from panic attacks and PTSD.

Solution:

One option to be preventative is to implement a threat assessment program in school across the U.S. This would mean students and staff would be trained on models such as D. Cornell's CSTAG model, a school-based threat assessment. 

Current actionable steps could include education on mental health, gun safety, conflict resolution, and protocol. It is important to have confidential counseling resources available, safe practices, and an understanding of who someone can go to if they do recognize threats. 

This can be executed by the board of education and the national PTA.

Please, feel free to comment or share your thoughts and experiences if you have been affected by gun violence. By signing this petition you are showing that you support an end to gun violence in schools.