How Teens Want to Solve America’s School Shooting Problems
Middle and high school students across the country shared their thoughts on gun violence with the NewsHour after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, one year ago. We thought you’d like to read their voices, since they were very clear in wanting to share them.
Nobody wants to become a school shooter
by Sadler, 10th grade, Greenville, North Carolina
While drills and surveillance can help prepare a school for such a disaster, those who wish to carry out such an act will find a way to do so. The easiest way to halt this pattern of school shootings is to focus on security from the inside. Continue with security protocols and drills and increase camera surveillance, but don’t overdramatize the issue. Avoid enhanced measures, like metal detectors or police officers, which make schools feel like prisons.
Find ways to improve the morale of the student body. Make schools kinder places. Help stop bullying and racism. Protect students mentally, and they will be safer physically. Remember, nobody wants to become a school shooter.
I’m not usually a political person, but I feel strongly about this one
by Nick, 10th grade, Gloucester, Massachusetts
I am not usually one to speak up on government and political matters, but this one I feel very strongly about. School shootings are one of the scariest things that a teenager in the 21st century faces. I am scared for my classmates; I am scared for my teachers; I am scared for my siblings. I have heard politicians say that we need metal detectors, police men, dogs, etc. What we really need is a community and a country that has stricter gun laws. I see no reason for regular everyday people to carry guns. I see no reason for children to be able to access guns. I see no reason for mentally ill people to have access to guns. I see no reason for my classmates, siblings and teachers to be fearful in a place that should represent the future of our youth and the future of our nation.
Repeal the Dickey Amendment, so we can study the problem of gun violence
by Caleb, 12th grade, Orange City, Iowa
This time feels different. Our generation is not waiting for more kids to suffer while politicians offer “thoughts and prayers,” instead of doing their job. Thoughts and prayers mean nothing if the people in power do not allow God to work through them. And if politicians refuse to protect their constituents, we will use our vote to take that power away. Solving the U.S.’s gun problem will not be simple, but it can be done one step at a time. For instance, repealing the Dickey Amendment, which effectively banned the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from conducting research on gun violence, would allow us to have more informed discussions on the topic.
Requiring insurance for all guns owned by individuals would be another positive way to increase firearm responsibility. Nearly every state legally requires car insurance, so it follows that weapons capable of mass destruction would have similar policies. They do not. Not only would enforcing insurance coverage boost overall responsibility, it would provide reason for private companies to be invested in limiting destruction caused by firearms.
Educate the public about gun safety — and get rid of add-ons
by Kamryn, 12th grade, Anderson, Indiana
We need additional gun policy, including a ban on certain add-ons that make guns more dangerous, like large magazine clips, bump stocks and silencers. We should keep in place current gun-free zones as well as expand them to include college universities, churches and hospitals.Educating the public more on firearms will prevent accidental shootings and raise awareness for how large-scale attacks affect communities long after the incident. A gun safety course should be mandatory for those individuals who want to own a gun and should be a requirement to earn a GED. The program will involve a crash course about the history of firearms, proper shooting techniques and the dangers of guns.
It will take several solutions — changing gun laws is not one of them
by Dominique, 12th grade, Flint, Michigan
If you want to make schools safer, changing guns laws is not going to do it. It’s the people who pull the trigger who doe the killing. Instead, we need to tighten up security around the school and patrol all entrances, making sure they are locked at all times. There should be metal detectors located at two or more entrances. This might be more expensive, but it would help keep students safe while they’re at school. Students should also carry their student ID around at all times. Another way to keep students and staff safe from an active shooter is to report if you hear or see something concerning on social media to your principal, parent or the police. These authorities could prevent the problem from happening by talking to the individual or group of members and seeing what they can do to help.
Change the age to buy a firearm to 21
by Sophia, 12th grade, Flint, Michigan
Those in high levels of authority — including lawmakers and the President — are not acting fast enough. Many teachers, students and parents are doing whatever in their power to help, but these groups can only do so much. It seems like every time there is a major issue that needs to be fixed right away, the president and all three branches of government work at a slow pace. Here is one solution they can start with: Every state should require individuals who want to buy a gun and obtain a firearm license to be over the age of 21.
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