Brady Campaign Reacts to Poll Showing Majority of Teens Fear School Shootings

Washington, D.C., April 18, 2018 - On the eve of the April 20th National School Walkout, new polling shows that a majority of teens in America now fear a shooting will take place at their own school. Leaders at the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence expressed dismay at the findings, noting that the vast majority of teens - and their elders - support policies that would put an end to these fears.

"It's heartbreaking that 19 years after the massacre at Columbine High School, more and more of our children carry this fear with them because of the inaction of those elected to keep them safe," stated Kris Brown, co-president of the Brady Campaign. "At the same time, we are seeing that record numbers of Americans - teens and adults - support common-sense gun safety measures like expanding background checks, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and passing extreme risk laws. We can't wait another 19 years or 19 days to take action. Our children deserve better than this."

The new study from Pew Research Center shows that:

• 66 percent of teenagers believe banning assault weapons would make schools safer;
• 86 percent believe improving mental health treatment and screening would be effective; and
• Only 39 percent believe arming teachers and school officials would prevent school shootings.

The Brady Campaign has been out front calling on Congress to pass its three-point policy plan since the February shooting in Parkland, FL.

"We know there are ways to make our students safe at school and in their communities. Even our students know that - so why doesn't Congress?" added Brady co-president Avery Gardiner. "It is unacceptable that our elected officials won't stand up to the gun lobby and are leaving our children afraid of something as simple as going to school. Congress needs to do its job and protect our kids or we are going to vote in a new Congress that will."