More than 2/3 of guns used in school shootings come from shooter's home or that of a relative
Washington D.C., August 29, 2017 — As school districts across the country kick off a new academic year, the Brady Campaign is reminding parents and administrators to make sure it's a safe one by helping keep guns out of the classroom. From fatal shootings to middle schoolers caught locked and loaded, there were about three gun incidents a day during the 2016-2017 academic year.
More than 2/3 of all guns used in school shootings come from the shooter's home or that of a relative, and approximately 1.7 million children have access to an unlocked, loaded gun in their homes.
Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign, said, "Most of our nation's schools are holding active shooter drills, teaching them that barricades of desks and chairs are 'the best we can do.' But we can do better. When parents send their kids to school, they shouldn't do so with fear that their classmates are armed. We can prevent school shootings, and it starts with parents and gun owners alike. Any gun in the home must be locked away with ammunition stored separately. Our children's safety depends on it. But our vigilance can't be limited to school grounds. A new year also means new friends, and visits to new homes. With so many kids living in homes with unlocked and loaded guns, the smartest thing parents can do is to always ask if there are guns where their kids play."
Parents have a fundamental role to play in averting school violence. Tragedies can be avoided if parents take simple steps to ensure these guns are not accessible to their children. Parents who are considering owning a gun should be aware of the dangers of keeping one in the home.
Brady has one powerful mission — to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It’s in our hands.
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