John–
As a dad of young kids, I'm both excited and stressed. Getting them ready to go back to school means not only making sure they have all the supplies they need, but also hours spent worrying about everything from their grades to their friends.
But because of our country's ongoing crisis, I'm also afraid. It's a fear that has become a reality for too many parents and students: That a shooting will happen at my kids' schools.
We don't have to live like this. Our elected officials—from boards of education to Congress—can implement proven solutions to keep students and teachers safe.
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Two of the most important things schools can do to prevent shootings is to intervene before a person commits an act of violence and make sure families with guns store them securely in their homes.
That's where crisis intervention and secure storage notifications come in.
Crisis intervention practices generally consist of teams that are specifically trained to intervene at the earliest warning signs of potential violence. They then divert those who would do harm to themselves or others to appropriate resources. That includes making sure there are enough professionals available to provide students with meaningful mental health services.
Secure storage notification policies let schools send home information to parents about the importance of secure gun storage. This practice can keep kids safe both in and out of school. And thanks to the work of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, over 2.5 million families now receive this life-saving information.
These preventative measures do not rely on discipline or the criminal justice system to stop gun violence. And when properly implemented, they prevent undue harm to students of color or students with disabilities.
These programs are also trauma-informed and supported by leaders in the field of education—unlike current attempts by the gun industry and its lawmaker allies to arm teachers and militarize our schools.
If we're going to end this crisis and the fear that haunts too many parents, teachers, and students, more guns will never be the answer. We must make sure that students are safe, get support in times of crisis, and have everything they need to grow and thrive.
After all, isn't that what school should be about?
Thank you for being a part of this movement.
Rob Wilcox
He/Him/His
Federal Legal Director
Everytown and Moms Demand Action
