Most Americans support these 3 initiatives to prevent school shootings
On Sept. 4, 14-year-old Colt Gray shot and killed two students and two teachers, and wounded nine others, at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. He used an AR-style rifle his father had bought him as a Christmas present.
Sixteen months earlier, an investigator from the sheriff’s office in Jackson County had questioned Colt and his father Colin about an online threat to “shoot up” his middle school. Colt’s mother — whose history with law enforcement included guilty pleas for property damage, trespass and family violence, and warnings about drug possession — no longer lived with them. Colt denied that he was responsible for the threat. Colin Gray revealed that Colt had been bullied at middle school, but insisted his son did not have “unfettered” access to guns. “I have to take you at your word,” the investigator said, “and I hope you’re being honest with me.”
K-12 school shootings occur far more frequently in the U.S. than in any other country. Most shooters give off warning signs before they act. Nonetheless, Republicans in Congress and in many states have often blocked measures to reduce gun violence, including three common-sense initiatives that the majority of Americans support.
First, nine states and many school districts mandate that every public school form, train and utilize a “threat assessment team.” Composed mostly of school personnel and drawing on a model initially designed by the Secret Service, teams are tasked to avoid “the single point in time” approach used by law enforcement by assessing reports of concerning behavior. The teams interview relevant individuals and follow up, if appropriate, with monitoring, counseling, mental health referrals, transfers to alternative educational settings and, if necessary, exercise their duty to warn or inform.
Although assessment teams are cheaper than hardening schools with gates, metal detectors and guards, the vast majority of them are underfunded. Nonetheless, evaluations of the impact of this initiative are encouraging. A recent study found that Florida’s program, adopted after the Parkland school shooting in 2018, was “widely, but not uniformly successful” in preventing threats to safety. Other studies indicate that by identifying and addressing serious threats, schools can handle less serious cases more effectively.
The second measure is “Red Flag” laws, which 19 states and D.C. had passed as of the beginning of 2024, up from just five in 2018. Also called “Extreme Risk Protection Orders,” they allow law enforcement officers, medical professionals or family members to petition courts to temporarily seize firearms from individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others. Grounded in assessments of risk and dependent on individual circumstances, these orders can require counselling and are renewable.
Measuring the impact of these orders is difficult because, like threat assessment teams, they have been in place for only a short time and some sheriffs use them only in “exigent circumstances.” That said, a recent report found that if “well-targeted,” Red Flag laws could reduce suicides and homicides.
Third is universal background checks. With this measure stalled in Congress, 20 states now require them for all or most private gun sales. A recent study concluded that when combined with permit-to-purchase licensing strategies, background checks can reduce homicide and suicide rates. They are less effective, however, when nearby states lack the same regulations. This is another reason why 86 percent of Americans (including 80 percent of Republicans) support a federal government mandate for background checks on all firearm purchases and transfers.
Georgia allows adults to carry firearms without a conceal carry permit. Although it is illegal for anyone to “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly” sell or give a handgun to a minor, exceptions are granted when a youngster attends a hunting or firearms course, or lives at home and has parental permission to access the weapon.
Georgia's legislature has not required or funded threat assessment teams, passed Red Flag laws, safe-storage laws or universal background checks. Eighty-two percent of Georgia citizens support Red Flag laws and 85 percent support background checks for all gun buyers, including purchases at gun shows.
Nationwide, 86 percent of Americans, including 80 percent of Republicans, support a federal government mandate for background checks on all firearm sales and transfers. A substantial majority, it is worth noting, also support a ban on purchases of assault weapons.
Implementation of the three initiatives described here may or may not have prevented the killing spree at Apalachee High School. But given our country’s appalling record of school shootings, these small steps are very much worth taking.
Glenn C. Altschuler is the Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Emeritus Professor of American Studies at Cornell University.
Date: |
-
CBS News - Top stories
Most school shootings happen outside campus buildings, data shows
It's easy to focus on building security when it comes to preventing school shootings. Still, CBS News investigators looked through decades of data and found that the majority of these deadly ...Yesterday -
NBC News - Top stories
'Coward!': Families face officers in Uvalde school shooting for first time
Families attended a court hearing for Pete Arredondo and Adrian Gonzales, charged for failing to confront a gunman who killed 19 children and 2 teachers.Yesterday -
ABC News - Top stories
Schools reopen as search for suspect in Kentucky interstate shooting enters 11th day
Schools in a Kentucky country reopened Tuesday under heavy police guard for the first time since a massive search was launched for a suspect in an interstate shooting.20 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Most Trump supporters believe false claims about Haitian migrants: Poll
A YouGov poll found that more than half of Trump-backers believe that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are eating people's pets, despite no evidence of this being true.Yesterday - Donald Trump -
NBC News - Politics
Sen. Kennedy accuses Muslim American activist of supporting Hamas
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., accused a leading Arab American activist, Maya Berry, of supporting Hamas.15 hours ago -
NBC News - Top stories
Florida sheriff releases mug shot of 11-year-old charged with making school shooting threat
A Florida sheriff released the mug shot and video of an 11-year-old child charged with a felony for allegedly making a written threat of a mass shooting.Yesterday - Florida -
NBC News - Politics
GOP senator tells Arab American witness at hate crimes hearing to 'hide your head in a bag'
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., repeatedly suggested a leading Arab American activist is a Hamas supporter when she testified Tuesday at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes, and he told ...17 hours ago -
ESPN - Sports
FIFA, WHO launch new concussion initiative
Football's governing body FIFA and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday launched a global concussion awareness initiative developed with brain health experts.29 minutes ago -
ESPN - Sports
How all 32 teams stack up in this week’s Power Rankings: Rises for Saints, Vikings, Seahawks
Our ranks have shuffled. Plus, reporters pick the most important backup / role player on each team.3 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
When nations clash, children suffer: Unpacking China's adoption ban
For the impacted families, it is a waking nightmare. For the United States, it is the latest failure of Washington to tame the worst impulses of the Chinese Communist Party.29 minutes ago - China -
The Hill - Politics
New partnership unveiled touting White House efforts in Black, Latino communities
Black and Latino voting organizations have teamed up for a new campaign touting the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to support the two communities over the last three years. The Voto Latino ...29 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Jill Biden to lead delegation to Mexico for inauguration of first female president
First lady Jill Biden will head up the U.S. delegation to Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum’s inauguration amid debate in Mexico over the official guest list, which also includes Russian ...33 minutes ago - Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Senate Democrats aim to bolster tenant organizing in new housing bill
A new bill from Senate Democrats will expand organizing and advocacy protections for low-income tenants, one of a growing number of legislative proposals to address the national housing shortage ...40 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Liz Cheney joins Rep Allred for interview: 'You can’t trust Ted Cruz'
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) joined Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) for a sit-down interview during which she went after his Texas Senate race opponent, deeming Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) ...42 minutes ago