2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students that participated in PEW research polls indicate that “57% of teens say they are worried about the possibility of a shooting happening at their school, with one-in-four saying they are very worried” (Graf, 2018), meanwhile compared to their white peers, teenagers who are non-white show more concern. Compared to 51% of white teens, about two-thirds (64%) of non-white teens, including 73% of Hispanic teens, indicate they are at least somewhat concerned about this. It sad to look back and realize that not much has changed within the past couple of years. Of course we make attempts to advocate and protest but shouldn’t enough be enough?

The alarming thing about gun violence in schools is how prevalent it is in the US, despite the fact that many people don’t even appear to care or want to see changes made. “Bowling for Columbine,” a documentary, lends credibility to the notion that although people are aware that minors can easily obtain firearms, they are unwilling to effect change. There are plenty of folks who take comfort in keeping firearms in their homes. People go as far as sleeping with a gun right under their pillow (WatchDocumentaries, 2002). I feel as though we are too concerned with creating a school that could pass as a prison with police officers out front and gates as tall as the school building itself- and I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be creating safer schools but why don’t we start at the root of the problem and improve gun control / who has access to guns. No minor should ever have the opportunity to fire bullets in a school. It is simply unacceptable. Now, let’s go over the Constitutional argument of the Second Amendment. Gun owners find it unappealing that regulations governing firearms should be changed to guarantee that the weapons these citizens claim are for “personal protection” don’t wind up in the wrong hands or locations. People support their constitutional right to bear arms and the power of the National Rifle Association which is the reason this is the case. Further gun ownership limitations would be a violation of those constitutional rights. This gives gun owners the impression that they are powerless to defend themselves, which was the main motivation behind their initial decision to keep weapons in their homes. Here’s what I’m trying to say: I find it astounding that people refuse to support tougher gun control regulations because they prioritize their individual liberties over the security of their neighborhood and their children’s education. Alright, alright I can play devil’s advocate. Sure we all love to feel like we are protected, especially if that protection involves something so small it can fit in your pocket at all times but how are they landing in the hands of people so malicious to take aim to innocent people.

Getty Images. (2023). Untangling America from gun violence. Retrieved 2024, from https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/untangling-america-from-gun-violence/.

While learning more on this topic of gun laws and school violence this has impacted my views as a teacher and how I want my students to feel in a school setting. I don’t want my students or any student coming to school worried if they are ever going to see their parents again, I want them to all feel safe and welcomed. Using the CDC’s “Resources for Action” would be one way to stop gun violence in my future classroom. These resources “shape individual behaviors as well as the relationship, family, school, community, and societal factors,” all of which can have a negative impact on students’ wellbeing if they are not properly addressed and cared for (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). Kids already might be dealing with problems at home so by me creating a warm, happy, safe, and welcoming type of environment it may just change the trajectory their day-to-day lives. Not only does this method work in a classroom but even outside of school just by smiling at someone you might have given them a reason to not take serious negative action. Also according to National Education Association, “Students can’t learn if they feel unsafe or if they are dealing with trauma from incidents that happen outside school grounds or are worried about how to get home safely” (National Education Association, 2023). This is another reason why it is so important to create a safe environment for everyone.

To sum up this blog post because student mental health isn’t given enough priority and because gun regulations are far too lax when it comes to gun ownership, there is gun violence in schools. Because they believe that carrying a gun and being able to defend oneself is a constitutional right, gun owners oppose tougher rules governing gun ownership. It’s shocking that these same folks don’t think about their kids’ safety in schools, given how easily firearms may get into the wrong hands and be used against their own kids. Wow. This was a very difficult topic and I can only say so much about how I truly feel about gun violence but let me try to make it more clear. PROMOTE GUN CONTROL.