In each section of the guide, care is also taken to emphasize the harm of overly punitive approaches to gun violence prevention, and the importance of eliminating racial bias in gun violence prevention efforts, so as not to exacerbate the school-to-prison pipeline that pushes Black students out of school at a rate far higher than their peers. It noted that ensuring that educators, parents and students have access to mental health services is a “critical component” in preventing violence and increasing school safety. Adults can provide leadership by reassuring students that schools are generally very safe places for children and youth and reiterating what safety measures and student supports are already in place in their schools. Moving forward, it is essential to prioritize prevention, enhance mental health support, and foster a culture of resilience within our schools and communities.
Safe and equitable schools
But it is meant to serve https://everytownresearch.org/report/school-gun-violence-prevention-response-guide-part-one-gun-violence-prevention/ as a bridge between what NEA affiliates can do to facilitate gun violence prevention, preparation, response, and recovery and the crucial work of so many others in the broader school community. When a school shooting occurs, the harm extends far beyond those who have been physically injured or killed and can have significant effects that impact the mental health, learning, and emotional well-being of children within the school community. At the same time, work on positive youth development programs have identified short-term impacts on reducing violent outcomes, but the long-term efficacy of such efforts is not clear.64 Indeed, much of this work has also elucidated that more research is needed to better understand the efficacy of such preventive efforts on reducing gun violence in schools.63 But these efforts can and should be considered part of a broader menu of strategies that schools pursue as they consider how best to keep their communities safe. In today’s school environment, children are often viewed as either perpetrators to be punished or as victims to be protected without building on their agency.55 However, investing in evidence-based preventive efforts that are intended to promote critical skill development – and doing so in ways that recognize the resources and agency that children and adolescents bring to the issue – is likely a far more effective way to address both the perceived threat of gun violence and prevent the onset of violent tendencies among youth, while also promoting well-being more broadly. For example, many law enforcement officers receive over 800 hours of basic training, which includes 168 hours of training specifically on weapon use, self-defense tactics, and the use of force.50 However, states that have laws aimed at arming school personnel offer significantly less training – if any – to their school staff.49 Research also suggests that arming teachers could heighten levels of anxiety and negatively affect a school’s climate, as opposed to serving as an effective deterrence of gun violence.51 The large majority of teachers and parents are opposed to the idea as well.
- Preventing school shootings is a complex and ongoing challenge that requires the collective effort of individuals, communities, and policymakers.
- CAP laws require that a firearm is properly stored and locked so that a child would not be able to access it.
- How to create safe, supportive environments in schools and communities.
- Gen Z is known as the lockdown generation, and it’s only getting worse for children coming of age today.
- In 2024, the combined age-adjusted gun death rate among the national failure states was 18.8, compared to a rate of 7.3 among the national leader states.
- Parents, school officials, and community members working together can be the most effective way to prevent violence in our schools.
A 2023 poll from Johns Hopkins University found that a vast majority of respondents support commonsense gun violence prevention policies. The three organizations are calling on lawmakers to stand up to the gun lobby and take immediate action to finally start protecting our schools from gun violence. Gun violence is preventable through commonsense gun laws and trauma-informed schools that create safe school environments. Less than 1 percent of gun deaths per year occur on school grounds, but gun violence has a profoundly harmful impact on students, educators, families, and communities. The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees.
How many people are killed in mass shootings in the U.S. every year?
Access vital resources for support and education. The good news is school violence can be prevented. All students have the right to learn in a safe school environment.
‘Help Us Stop the Attacks’: Educators Urge Action on Gun Violence
There are also concerns about safety even if guns are being brought to school with the intent to protect students. Overall, 42 acts of gun violence took place at schools in 2021, and 27 have occurred so far this year. Allowing school personnel to carry guns hasn’t thwarted mass shootings at schools. However, Nittle and Rummler noted that the track record of responding to shootings by bringing more guns into schools is a poor one, and that it may have harmful unintended consequences.