Alexander Alvarado. Bennie Hargrove. Daylon Burnett. Tate Myre. Hana St. Juliana. Madisyn Baldwin. Justin Shilling.

12 years old. 13 years old. 15 years old. 16 years old. 14 years old. 17 years old. 17 years old. 

This small list does not even come close to the 68 people left injured or dead from a school shooting in 2021. According to Education Week, there were 34 school shootings, 24 of which happened after August 1. 

During the Covid pandemic, gun violence in schools lowered tremendously. Much of which had to do with the fact all schools across the country were shut down. Now everyone is back, and the reality of school shootings along with it.

The second amendment protects the right to own a gun. Contrastly, the right to school safety and having a secure place for kids to go and learn, does not have the same regard. As reported by Amnesty, students have their education negatively affected due to the fear of attending class because of the gun violence reported around the nation. 

According to Sandy Hook Promise, guns are the leading cause of death among American children. However, around 4.6 million American children are in a home with an unlocked loaded gun. 

If we want students to be safe, secure, and comfortable in school, why is the thing that could cause the most destruction so easy to obtain? 

As reported by Sandy Hook Promise, 68% of the guns used, people got from home, a friend, or a relative. The reckless behavior of others should not have a consequence on innocent students.

This then raises the question about arming teachers. 

As reported by EdW, while many schools have “gun-free” policies, it is up to the state to allow the admin to bring a firearm into the building. Gun Safety website Everytown explains that arming a teacher does not mean they can turn into a heavily trained law-enforcement officer in a moment of crisis. The learning environment would be better protected with higher security, rather than guns on the premises, even if it is with a trained adult. 

Imagine it is 2 p.m. on a Thursday. Class gets out in about an hour, after-school clubs are on, the dinner for tonight has already been decided, and the school gets put on immediate lockdown. Windows are shut, doors are locked, lights go out, no one can say a word. A shot rings. No matter if it is a teacher, student, or parent, everyone is in fear and everyone wants the threat gone. 

While stricter gun laws are not even close to a quick fix, (which is impossible), they do allow a security blanket around the issue. These laws will make it harder for citizens to get a firearm, and allow the ability to be sure the gun is getting in the hands of someone who will be beyond responsible. 

The seriousness of this issue is immense and to be put bluntly, children are dying. They are afraid, stressed, and uncomfortable coming to school, and this has become a regular sensation around the nation. It has become so normalized that around mid-December of 2021, there was a TikTok trend of threatening violence of schools from Illinois to Arizona. 

Alyssa Alhadeff. Luke Hoyer. Joaquin Oliver. Meadow Pollack. Jesse Lewis. Daniel Barden. Allison Wyatt.

14 years old. 15 years old. 17 years old. 18 years old. 6 years old. 7 years old. 6 years old.

These are victims of the Parkland shooting in 2018 and the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. This issue is not new and unless a change is made, it will not be old either.