Every morning I wake up and check alerts for updates on school safety. I often share the information through various social media channels to spread awareness. This morning was no different, but as I searched for articles, I found some chilling data that deeply disturbed me. A 500% increase in school shootings from 1970 to the present is unacceptable, intolerable and preventable. We can turn this around by focusing on creating safe and supportive school environments and simultaneously promoting safe gun storage.
School nurses promoting safe storage messaging to families is one powerful action that can have an immediate impact on saving lives. More than three quarters of school shooters under the age of 18 got their gun from home or the home of a close relative.
The following news articles and recently published research from today’s search continue to fuel my relentless quest to improve school safety.
School Shooting Deaths Have Increased 500% in 53 Years
Defining the Problem: 53 Years of Firearm Violence Afflicting America’s Schools
California moves to ban fake gunfire in school active-shooter drills
Biden’s office of Gun Violence and Prevention says it’s driven to make a difference
I am encouraging all school nurses who read my blog to join me in promoting safe firearm storage so that we can change this narrative. We don’t have to accept escalating gun violence in schools as inevitable, it is anything but! Remember, that what is predictable is preventable!
