GUNS »» CRIME »» SCHOOL SHOOTINGS »» May 08, 2023

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. Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.5428 - School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act (117th Congress 2021-2022) Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) I oppose reforming current school shootings policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA). I support requiring the Department of Education to publish an annual report on indicators of school crime and safety. Such report shall collect specified information, including: 1.) The number of school shootings that have taken place nationwide and the number of those that were mass shootings 2.) The number of people killed or injured in each school shooting and the age, gender, race, ethnicity, and nationality of each victim 3.) The motivation of the shooter and how the shooter was stopped. 4.) The number and type of firearms and ammunition used in each shooting and the response time of law enforcement. ED must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to collect and publish specified data on school shootings. 5.) Information on the existence or absence of specified measures at the time of the shooting, including physical and other types of security measures, a communication plan with local law enforcement, a response plan that includes coordination with local agencies, an active shooter response plan, and a trauma response plan. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Winning Option »» No issues were voted

I support requiring the Department of Education to publish an annual report on indicators of school crime and safety. Such report shall collect specified information, including: 1.) The number of school shootings that have taken place nationwide and the number of those that were mass shootings 2.) The number of people killed or injured in each school shooting and the age, gender, race, ethnicity, and nationality of each victim 3.) The motivation of the shooter and how the shooter was stopped. 4.) The number and type of firearms and ammunition used in each shooting and the response time of law enforcement. ED must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to collect and publish specified data on school shootings. 5.) Information on the existence or absence of specified measures at the time of the shooting, including physical and other types of security measures, a communication plan with local law enforcement, a response plan that includes coordination with local agencies, an active shooter response plan, and a trauma response plan. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Trustee Candidates

National Education Association If elected as a trustee, National Education Association will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to work and advocate for programs to prevent bullying, including the use of intervention programs. Our mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. Our vision is a great public school for every student. Our core values include equal opportunity, professionalism, partnership and collective action. NEA also believes every student in America, regardless of family income or place of residence, deserves a quality education. Representative Education - Teacher Shortage, College Affordability, Student Loan Debt If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting her to favorably consider either reintroducing H.R.5428 - School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act (117th Congress 2021-2022), or a similar version thereof.

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