Alexandria Rubio’s family members at memorial in the center of Uvalde. Credit: Meridith Kohut for The New York Times
School is known to be a safe place where kids go to grow, learn, and know how to use important social and communication skills. School gives children and teens the opportunity to prepare for their future. But can school also be a harmful and dangerous place? Parents worry that their child might not make friends or achieve academically, but it should never be on their mind they need to worry their child’s life can be put in danger.
What Is Gun Violence?
Gun violence is using a firearm to intentionally cause harm. But in some cases it can be unintentional. According to Amnesty International: “More than 600 people are estimated to die every day from gun violence, also including suicide”. These injuries are devastating to the victims and their relatives. It can also be detrimental to the mental health of those who have survived and loved ones of the ones who didn’t.
The Dangers of Gun Violence
Gun violence has been a worldwide problem. People debate whether owning a gun is a right or a privilege. The Center of Gun Violence says that “Guns were the leading cause of death among children & teens (ages 1-17), accounting for more deaths than car crashes, overdoses, or cancers.” Many adults have easy access to guns and weapons that their child can get hold of. And even children and teens under the age of 21 own guns unknowingly to those around them. As gun violence becomes worse, students and adults are too scared to go to school. Mandatory lockdown videos are now necessary for school safety. Gun violence should be under more strict laws for our states to ensure that students will be returning home from school with no injuries.
Uvalde, TX: Robb Elementary shooting memorial. by Van Pierre Aguirre for The New York Times
Alexandria Rubio’s family members at memorial in the center of Uvalde. Credit: Meridith Kohut for The New York Tim
Sources
We need to prioritize people over guns. Amnesty International. (2024, January 11). https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/arms-control/gun-violence/#whatisgunviolence
Center for Gun Violence. (n.d.). https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/solutions