The Relentless School Nurse: Everytown and NEA’s Comprehensive School Gun Violence Prevention Guide

The NEA School Gun Violence Prevention and Response Guide is an inspired collaboration between Everytown for Gun Safety (Everytown) and the National Education Association (NEA). The comprehensive four-part guide provides evidence-based strategies and practical guidance for educators, school nurses, administrators, policymakers, and community members to create safer learning environments.

 

Section One – Gun Violence Prevention focuses on proactive measures to create safe and supportive school environments. It emphasizes early intervention strategies and addresses underlying factors contributing to violence. Key recommendations include creating supportive school climates, implementing trauma-informed practices, and promoting secure firearm storage in homes with children.

Section Two –  Preparation: Threat Assessment and Security explores comprehensive threat assessment protocols and security measures that can be implemented without compromising the nurturing atmosphere essential for learning. It likely covers developing assessment protocols, implementing physical security measures, and training staff and students on security procedures.

Section Three – Gun Violence Response: Reacting Effectively to an Incident addresses critical components of emergency response planning, including communication protocols and coordination with first responders. It presumably covers emergency drills, evacuation procedures, and crisis communication strategies.

Section Four – Gun Violence Recovery and Support, the final section examines post-incident support strategies, focusing on long-term recovery and community healing. This likely includes trauma support for students and staff, mental health resources, and policy review processes.

Throughout the guide, Everytown and NEA draw upon extensive research and real-world examples to provide actionable insights. Key findings include the fact that most school shooters have a connection to the institution, firearms used in these incidents often come from home, and there are almost always warning signs before an act of violence occurs.

The guide emphasizes the importance of creating supportive school climates and addressing students’ mental health needs. It also highlights the disproportionate impact of gun violence on students of color, underscoring the need for equitable and culturally sensitive approaches.

Importantly, Everytown and NEA advocate against arming educators, citing evidence that this approach does not enhance student safety and may introduce new risks. Instead, the organizations recommend comprehensive strategies combining prevention, mental health support, crisis response, and commonsense gun law advocacy.

By providing this multifaceted approach, Everytown, and NEA equip schools and communities with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively prevent, respond to, and recover from incidents of gun violence, ultimately fostering safer and more supportive learning environments for all students.