With Three Months Still to Go, Gunfire in Schools Causes More Deaths and Injuries than Last Year
Gun violence on school campuses has already surpassed the total number of incidents in 2023, with 163 occurrences recorded as of September 30, 2024. These incidents have led to 48 deaths and 108 injuries, with three months remaining in the year. In comparison, 2023 saw 158 incidents and 45 fatalities. This alarming trend is part of a broader issue, as tragedies like the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia are not isolated, but part of a growing crisis.
According to Sarah Burd-Sharps, Senior Director of Research at Everytown for Gun Safety, these statistics represent real lives that have been devastated by gun violence in a place where students should feel safe. Shockingly, six out of the nine states with the highest number of school shootings allow staff to carry guns on campuses.
A key factor in these incidents is the ease of access to firearms. Despite federal law permitting individuals aged 18 and older to buy shotguns and rifles, the average age of school shooters is just 16, with many obtaining weapons from parents or relatives’ homes. This was the case in the Apalachee shooting, where the shooter allegedly received the weapon as a Christmas gift from his father, who now faces murder charges.
The situation is exacerbated by hoax threats. In the aftermath of the Apalachee tragedy, law enforcement agencies across the U.S. were overwhelmed with a surge in false reports of school shootings. The FBI reported more hoax threats in the three weeks following the attack than in the previous three years combined. Even when false, these threats divert crucial resources from real emergencies.
Students and parents, such as Camille Paradis, a Sandy Hook shooting survivor, are demanding action from lawmakers to address the root cause of these tragedies: the easy availability of guns. As the number of incidents continues to rise, many argue that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in America, yet no substantial legislative action has been taken to curb it.
This situation calls for urgent reform in gun safety laws and a rethinking of the role of firearms in schools. The ongoing tragedies highlight the need for preventive measures and greater accountability.
