More gunshots sound in the sky, and America’s citizens turn a blind eye. This is the reality that we face today. Our youth are suffering from the terror and trauma that affects our nation and, more specifically, schools. With recurring school shooting incidents spreading across the country, we –as Americans– must step up and do something because enough is enough. By implementing universal background checks on gun owners and implementing crisis intervention programs, we can prevent school shootings and prioritize the safety that our children deserve.

There’s no question that school shootings are a significant issue in the US, as seen in the past. The Sandy Hook Promise, an organization aiming to prevent school shootings, stated more than a quarter of a million kids have experienced gun violence at school since 1999. There seems to be no end in sight. In the past few years, our nation has just stood by watching, ignoring the voices of those affected. In fact, a few weeks ago, the school I attend received threats of a school shooting. Many of my friends stayed home because their parents were worried for their children’s lives, and those who went to school remained fearful throughout the day. Schools are supposed to be safe places, but the rising frequency of shootings jeopardizes this environment, inflicting anxiety on students instead. On September 4, Apalachee High School in Georgia experienced a tragic school shooting, another result of this dangerous pattern. Four people were killed, with the perpetrator being a 14-year-old. In order to prevent these shootings from happening, we should implement universal background checks, as they would make sure consumers are 21 or above. This ensures that the person buying the gun is qualified and responsible for purchasing a firearm and checks their criminal record. Currently, only 22 states require background checks. While there is a federal background check law, there are ways to get around this, such as using fake IDs or going to purchase a gun in a state that doesn’t enforce background checks. Along with this 85% of gun owners surveyed in the US approve of these background checks (American Academy of Pediatrics). Additionally, background checks also check a person’s age and make sure that anyone purchasing a firearm is at least 21, which could prevent shootings conducted by young children. Background checks would play a key role in preventing the losses that families experience and the trauma that survivors go through.

We as a society should also implement crisis intervention programs to prevent school shootings from happening. These programs help students in crisis, who may become overwhelmed to the point where they endanger themselves and others. This can affect their mental health and result in school shootings. According to Saint Paul’s Public Schools, Crisis intervention programs “[set] up a team and protocols, respond to students in crisis, refer students to support and resources, and revisit to continually check in with that student.” One example of this is the R Model that some schools use, with the R standing for ready, respond, refer, and revisit. This model focuses on de-escalating situations and providing students in crisis with the resources they need. By implementing these programs, students get more access to mental health resources that can create a safer school environment. Additionally, these resources can minimize kids turning to violence to cope and help them deal with isolation, anxiety, or other conditions that they may struggle with. Crisis intervention programs also teach others to recognize behavioral signs of violence, allowing people to take action and prevent shootings before they happen. Along with this, America’s Cyber Defense Agency stated that “preventing violence by detecting and addressing these [behavioral] red flags is more effective than any physical security measure.” These programs work to prevent shootings in a way that prioritizes the students, making sure they get the help they need while protecting the community at the same time. 

In the last few weeks, I continue to think about the threats that my school received and replay the fear I felt throughout that day. No child should ever have to feel or experience this fear and terror that consumes our nation. We can prevent this by advocating for the implementation of crisis intervention programs and universal background checks. By doing this, we can bring communities back together and raise the hopes of our people. It’s time to start making a change. Our future generations depend on it.