The use of firearms in school violence, including violence between school students and attacks by outsiders, has become a near-commonplace event in recent decades. From Columbine to Virginia Tech to Sandy Hook, the names of these schools and the horrific events they bring to mind have left a void in the hearts of many. There were 93 school shootings with casualties at U.S. public and private elementary and secondary schools in 2020-2021. Since the 1999 Columbine school shooting, there have been more than 376 school shootings, and more than 348,000 students have experienced gun violence at school. Both gun rights and gun control advocates have suggested ways to prevent the next school shooting. These ideas include posting armed security guards at schools, arming school employees, hardening school structures and entryways, and restricting access to firearms. Opponents of placing guns in schools warn that arming teachers and guards will increase the chance of accidental shootings, or of others acquiring their weapons. Advocates claim school and community gun violence is a result of many factors and will require a multifaceted approach to decrease the likelihood of another school shooting. Among others, this approach could include better screening and treatment for the mentally ill, better school construction, and better ways to keep undesirables from acquiring guns and ammunition.

The 2022 Safer Communities Act provides critical resources to expand community mental health services for children and families, funds school-based mental health and supportive services, invests in telehealth mental health services to expand access, and invests in community crisis intervention programs.

Pending Legislation: H.R.2869 - School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act
Sponsor: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL)
Status: House Committee on Education and the Workforce
Chairperson: Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC)