This petition is created by the students of Apalachee High School. We are calling on Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly to act now. These changes will make a real difference in protecting Georgia's students and reducing the risk of future school shootings. Thoughts and prayers are only the first step; now is the time for action.

The recent school shooting at Apalachee High School has devastated our community. We mourn the deaths of the 4 victims we lost during this tragedy; Richard Aspinwall, Cristina Irimie, Mason Schermerhorn, Christian Angulo. 

Ultimately, this has highlighted a pressing need for urgent action to protect our students/teachers and prevent future tragedies. It is time to implement comprehensive measures that address both gun violence and school safety.

Current Issue with Georgia’s Gun Laws:

• Lack of Background Checks for Private Sales: In Georgia, private sales of firearms do not require background checks, allowing individuals to purchase guns without any screening. This loophole undermines efforts to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.
• No Firearm Registration: Georgia does not mandate the registration of firearms, making it challenging to track gun ownership and manage illegal firearms.
• Absence of Red Flag Laws: Georgia lacks red flag laws, which would allow for the temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. Such laws are crucial for preventing potential tragedies before they occur.
• No Safe Storage Requirements: Georgia does not have specific laws requiring the secure storage of firearms, which poses a risk, especially in households with children.

Our Demands:

Stronger Gun Safety Laws

• Implement Universal Background Checks: Close the loophole by requiring background checks for all firearm sales, including private transactions, to ensure that all buyers are thoroughly vetted.
• Enact Red Flag Laws: Introduce legislation that allows for the temporary removal of firearms from individuals who are deemed a threat to themselves or others, with due process protections in place.
• Require Firearm Registration: Mandate the registration of all firearms to improve tracking and management of gun ownership.
• Mandate Safe Storage Practices: Enforce laws requiring firearms to be stored securely in homes to prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of accidental injuries.

Evidence/Statistics:

• According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, states that enforce universal background checks for all gun sales report firearm homicide rates that are 15% lower than those without such laws. Another study by Boston University found that states without background checks have a 58% higher average firearm homicide rate compared to those that enforce them. Closing the private sale loophole in Georgia could lead to a significant reduction in violent crime and illegal gun purchases.
• Red flag laws, which allow the temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed a threat, have proven effective in states like Connecticut and Indiana. These laws are associated with a reduction in gun-related suicides and have been used to prevent potential mass shootings. By intervening when someone shows warning signs, Georgia could reduce both suicides and violent crime.
• Safe storage laws, which require secure firearm storage, are linked to a reduction in accidental shootings and child gun-related injuries. Additionally, firearm registration helps law enforcement track stolen or illegal firearms. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) shows that safe storage laws can reduce unintentional injuries by up to 85% in households with children.

Join us in demanding immediate action to protect our students and communities. Sign this petition to urge lawmakers and education officials to prioritize these essential reforms. Together, we can make a difference and create a safer future for all students.

We are over the repeated incidents of school shootings that continue to devastate our schools and communities. We are over the empty promises and inaction from our legislators who fail to implement meaningful change. We are over the constant fear and insecurity that our students and educators face every day. We are over it.

References

• Webster DW, Vernick JS, McGinty EE, & Alcorn, T. (2013). “Preventing the Diversion of Guns to Criminals Through Effective Firearm Sales Laws,” in Reducing Gun Violence in America: Informing Policy with Evidence and Analysis. The Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Miller M, Hepburn L, & Azrael D. (2017). Firearm acquisition without background checks: results of a national survey. Annals of Internal Medicine.
• Siegel, M., Pahn, M., Xuan, Z. et al. The Impact of State Firearm Laws on Homicide and Suicide Deaths in the USA, 1991–2016: a Panel Study. J GEN INTERN MED 34, 2021–2028 (2019).
• Rudolph KE, Stuart EA, Vernick JS, & Webster DW. (2015). Association between Connecticut’s permit-to-purchase handgun law and homicides. American Journal of Public Health.