432 mass shootings this year.
Alone, 2024 has more shootings than days in a year.
527 people.
527 families affected forever.
1,755 people are forever traumatized, with scars to show.
In 2023, the only country with more than 20 shootings was the US.
In 2017, there was a survey conducted by the Small Arms Survey over how many firearms (obtained in any way) were owned worldwide. The US was an outlier, having ~120 guns per 100 people.
We have such a problem where we have more guns than we have people.
In the US, we prioritize our weapons over our people. We love our 2nd Amendment rights, but how does that affect our schools, our meeting places, and our homes.
As we have an ever growing concern regarding weaponry and the safety of our children, our families, our friends, etc. Where do restrictions fit into place?
While there is a place for weapons within warfare, hunting, and sometimes even self-defense, why are schools becoming a target for shooters. The first well known example would be the Columbine High School massacre of 1999. Even elementary schools aren’t safe as seen with Sandy Hook in 2012 and even more recently in Uvalde during 2022.
38% of parents in the U.S. are afraid to send their child for their physical safety in these closed environments, according to Gallup in 2023.
“They need to be taught how to respond. I personally don’t want to keep them at home and homeschool them,” said Brian Hill, assistant principal at the Freshman Center.
The school recently changed its former policy to make more clear for students during a lockdown or lockdown drill.
“You want to make it feel like they have options, like you want to be alert, but C is for Counter but we don’t want to counter before evacuating,” Hill said.
During the month of September, in Winder, Georgia, Apalachee High School was targeted by one of their own students.
Two students, and two teachers lives were ended. Nine people in the building were severely injured.
The suspect was identified a year earlier for making similar threats. At the time of original suspicion there was no probable cause for arrest.
Apalachee High School is the 46th incident of schools having an active shooter in 2024. It could have been prevented, if appropriate action was taken in all parties.
The shooter’s father purchased the firearm that was allegedly the weapon used during the shooting and gifted it to his son.
Since then, 26 mass shootings have occured in the US and even more threats have been made to public places and schools, and more people have died.
This should not be a fact of life.
Parents should not have to fear their child will come home.
Children should not have to fear that they might never see light again.
