Firearm violence in schools

Considering the asperity and urgency of the issue, it is vital to find solutions in order to prevent tragedies from spreading and taking away others’ lives. Despite the ideological cleavages of politics, by assessing the effectiveness of government control particularly exercised through regulation as well as considering possible prospective proposal of different side of arguments, not only the citizen safety is ensured, violence is reduced but individual rights and freedom also protected. I believe that by enhancing strict measures in conducting background check in conjunction with proper education as well as sufficient mental health services, the government will be able to keep America safe and great again. School shootings, as defined by United States Secret Service and the Department of Education School as “Incidents of "targeted violence" in school settings where the school was deliberately selected as the location for the attack and was not simply a random site of opportunity”, have been an on-going tragedy in the United States that almost became a norm for Americans to catch a line on the news about gun-related incidents happened at educational settings.

For three consecutive decades since 1990s, school shootings have become more frequent and severe whilst the number of casualties escalates larger through time. Some of these school shooters share a trait of familial dynamic. Child psychologists have claimed that the presence of a mental disorder in one of the family members makes the whole family prone to mental disorders. The media and news sources influenced and inspired these individuals to commit crimes in one way or the other. News sources and media outlets tend to cover great detail as well as spread events of mass shootings. It is believed that media coverage inspires and influences other individuals to commit similar crimes. There were at least 130 reported deaths and 254 injuries according to the Washington Post (Wagner and Johnson n.

p). Another negative effect of school shootings is that the students and faculty that witness these killings are likely to suffer from traumatic stress. The era of mass shootings has made it difficult for students to focus on learning. Most students fear to go to school and eventually suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders which makes it difficult for them to focus in class (Shute and Comarow). Besides, society suffers reduced productivity because of many cases of school dropouts among students. The government should tighten legislative measures to regulate firearm ownership. Background procedures need to be done earnestly including a background check of one’s family members. There should be tight legislative measures to regulate firearm ownership. Firearms should be owned by people who are of age and with extensive training to handle them.

The states and the federal government has an essential role to play in assuring the integrity and precision of firearms management. The federal government should raise the minimum age for possessing guns. The firearms management should control the purchase and use of firearms among gun holders by ensuring that only the well-trained and thus licensed individuals can possess guns. A public health approach is obligatory to comply with government legislation to ensure public safety. At times, homeschooling can be used as a cover for abuse. According to Trump arming and training teachers and other school personnel would help to stop possible shootings before the police arrive. However trying to inflict force in a stressful environment could prove fatal. In addition, an implicit racial bias would possibly expose people of color to a hostile learning environment.