Gun (noun):
a weapon incorporating a metal tube from which bullets, shells, or other missiles are propelled by explosive force, typically making a loud, sharp noise.
According to Oxford Languages, a gun is a powerful weapon requiring careful handling. Nowhere in this definition is it implied that a child should be familiar with the sound of a firearm. Yet, with the alarming rate of gun violence in American schools, many children tragically are. I previously wrote about this unsettling reality in my article, A Kindergartner Shouldn’t Know the Sound of a Firearm, emphasizing that children in America are increasingly exposed to guns in spaces meant for growth and learning.
Today’s statistics are sobering: 12 children lose their lives to gun violence every day in the United States. If this isn’t enough to worry you, consider this next fact when thinking of gun control: gun violence now outranks all other causes of death for American youth, surpassing illness, as well as suicide.
So, how did we arrive at a point where, in one of the wealthiest nations on Earth, the leading cause of death among children and teens is preventable violence?
The Reality of Gun Ownership
Our current gun control policies contain significant gaps. Federal law restricts firearms only to individuals within specific “prohibited” categories, such as those with felony convictions or domestic violence charges. This limited scope allows many high-risk individuals to legally purchase firearms, even when they exhibit red flags, such as violent tendencies or suicidal ideation.
The tragic 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting illustrates this point. The shooter displayed clear warning signs of aggression and violence (whether caused by mental health issues or not, these were still present), yet was able to legally acquire firearms due to a lack of enforcement mechanisms.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), or “red flag laws,” aim to address this by temporarily removing firearms from individuals identified as threats by family members or law enforcement. However, while this policy exists, it's one that can be easily escaped; leaving room for violence and oppression against innocent bystanders, particularly children and teens.
Legislative Policies
There are several policies that could help curb gun violence:
Universal Background Checks: This policy aims to close loopholes in private gun sales and at gun shows, ensuring that thorough checks are conducted on all firearm purchasers. This screening process checks criminal records, mental health histories, and other risk factors, preventing potential threats from legally acquiring guns.
Nationwide Implementation of ERPOs: ERPOs have been enacted in several states, but a national framework would ensure consistency in protecting communities from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. These orders allow temporary firearm removal based on a court's assessment, creating a preventive measure.
Community-Based Solutions in Gun Safety
Community initiatives provide support to policy reforms. Programs like North Carolina’s NC SAFE Initiative showcase how local campaigns raise awareness about safe firearm practices.
Launched in 2023, NC SAFE (Secure All Firearms Effectively) promotes secure storage to prevent accidental or impulsive misuse of firearms. Providing resources on secure storage, NC SAFE reduces risks of firearm accidents and prevents access by unauthorized users.
By empowering citizens to take proactive steps toward firearm safety, programs like NC SAFE reduce gun-related risks within households and communities. Similar initiatives in other states, supported by a federal policy framework, would encourage a nationwide culture of responsible gun ownership.
A Moral Responsibility to Our Children’s Future
Gun violence in schools reflects not only a public safety crisis but also a moral failure. ERPOs, universal background checks, and age restrictions do not infringe on responsible gun ownership; rather, they reinforce it by ensuring safety.
Together, we must demand policies that prioritize life and safety. A future free from gun violence means that our children, siblings, and peers can attend school and live without fear of hearing the terrifying sound of a gunshot.
Photo Credit: David J. Phillip | AP
Sources:
[1] - Giffords Law Center. (2023). Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Retrieved from https://giffords.org
[2]- RAND Corporation. (2023). Gun Policy in America: Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Retrieved from https://www.rand.org
[3]- “Extreme Risk Law.” Everytown Research & Policy,
[4]- “NC S.A.F.E.” NC S.A.F.E., www.ncsafe.org/?gad_source=1.
[5] -Oxford Languages. “Oxford Languages.” Oxford Languages, Oxford University Press, 2024, languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/.
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