Gun violence in schools has been an issue in America in the past decade.  From Sandy Hook to Columbine, many parents, students, and communities still do not feel safe after these mass shootings.  Conversations arise when discussing how we can eliminate deaths in schools.  Some authors believe the problem must be fixed at the root of guns by creating stricter gun laws. Others feel as though this will not have a positive impact or solution.  Instead a more dynamic, emotional approach will decrease violent actions.  Gun Laws and gun violence is a highly debated political topic; Liberals and Conservatives may argue between increasing the amount of guns to end violence or confiscating guns altogether.  

So, how can America reduce gun violence in schools and what have we learned?  Well, I believe it is a combination of proactive steps schools and communities must take.  First, starting with a stable, non-violent home for children in order to influence peaceful behavior.  Focusing on positive relationships with children and teachers will impact good choices among students.  The majority of my research provides a different approach to this topic; instead of focusing on gun laws it points out the need for bullying, depression, and neglect to stop.  America must focus on the root of violence rather than the violence itself.  This is possibly an unavoidable issue, however, it does not hurt to try as best we can to reduce the amount of deaths and threats overall.  Although it can be difficult to accomplish in the distressed world we live in today, it is worth the effort to create peace and safety, not only in schools, but throughout our country.  

It may seem as though the fix is simple; stricter gun laws must be in place.  Security needs to be heightened in schools, including arming teachers.  Other physical measures such as metal detectors, bulletproof windows, etc. must be used.  This may seem appealing to parents and students as they feel substantially safer being surrounded by security guards.  Sometimes we wonder if metal detectors would have even been effective in the past school school shootings.  The killer is most likely brave and careless enough to take their life and many others, so why would a metal detector phase them?  There have been shootings in the past where metal detectors were present.  Researchers believe these would only be a “balancing act” and schools are simply placing them in the entrance assuming it will be the solution to mass shootings.

Yes, these approaches would possibly help reduce violence, however, this is a defensive approach.  I believe it is an empty solution and will not simply end school shootings.  Gun laws can be stricter, but rather than arming teachers with guns in a defensive manner, we should proactively stop guns from getting into the wrong hands.  If too much physical security is involved, education can be disrupted.  It would also be extremely expensive to implement all of these strategies.  Most importantly, teachers and student need to recognize the signs of neglect and mental instability that may lead to violent outbursts, taking a proactive approach.  Physical safety methods may feel safer, however, in reality, it is simply putting a band-aid over a deep rooted problem.  So what exactly is this deep-rooted problem you might ask; I believe it begins with one’s mental stability. Social and family lives directly effect one’s mental state, especially in adolescence.  

Bullying and depression can originate from the neglect at home or at school.  Neglected children tend to be outcasted at school during middle childhood and adolescence.  As they age, it is possible they will have depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, or an attempt at suicide.  Neglect and child abuse also increases the possibility of violent crime in one’s future by 30% (CDC).  On average, most crime is committed by 12 to 25 year-olds and peaks at age 18.  Playing violent video games has been found to lower empathy and raise the acceptability of violent responses in social situations (Human Development).  This encourages violence in young teens and rationalizes aggressive actions.  

Crime and delinquency is also influenced by chemical imbalances in the brain.  Aggression levels are highest when cortisol levels are low and testosterone levels are high.  Serotonin tends to inhibit violent impulses.  Therefore, those with low serotonin levels may suffer from violent, aggressive urges, and men with more testosterone may be more likely to murder.  This information begins to make mental health a more tangible disorder (Human Development).    

However, neglect is not always the root of the problem.  Sue Klebold, the loving mother of a Columbine shooter, feels as though she failed at raising her child, despite caring for him greatly in hopes to become a successful, responsible adult.  She was extremely unaware of his depressive state; months after the shooting, a notebook was found stating he had been cutting himself and wanted to buy a gun to commit suicide.  “How could you not know?” she was commonly asked, and she continues to ask herself that question.  Sue believes her son’s “involvement in the shootings was rooted not in his desire to kill, but in his desire to die”.  This is where the complex issue of mental health comes into play.  She emphasizes that almost 90 percent of  suicides involve mental disorders.  When someone has planned to take their life, it is considered a “stage four medical emergency” due to the immense impairment of one’s thoughts.  However, since it is an internal health complication, it is difficult to understand and diagnose.     

Dr. E Fuller Torrey, a psychiatrist, states that “about half of . . . mass killings are being done by people with severe mental illness, mostly schizophrenia, and if they were being treated they would have been preventable.”  This is a satisfying, yet frustrating fact; we are that much closer to grabbing the source of mass shootings, however, how can we easily recognize mental illnesses?  

We must play our part.  Benjamin Franklin said “Children are great imitators, so why don’t we give them something great to imitate!”  I believe this is a perfect model for parents to raise their children.  It may seem obvious, but teaching your child to treat others the way they want to be treated and knowing when to recognize when someone is hurting can only help. 

Bullying is another prevalent topic related to mental health.  We all have made fun of someone for something foolish once or twice.  It may seem humorous as everyone at the lunch table laughs or on the school bus when everyone gangs up on your friend over a funny story.  To some it may appear as a joke, but to others their feelings may be overcome with embarrassment and suffering.  It effects each person’s emotional brain differently.  These are just the primary stages which can lead one to have depression or suicidal thoughts.  In today’s society especially, Social Media plays a huge role in shaping one’s mental stability.  

Dr. Dan Olweus created the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program with help from The American Psychological Association.  “The intervention program is built on four key principles. These principles involve creating a school - and ideally, also a home - environment characterized by: (1) warmth, positive interest, and involvement from adults; (2) firm limits on unacceptable behavior; (3) consistent application of non-punitive, non-physical sanctions for unacceptable behavior and violation of rules, and, (4), adults who act as authorities and positive role models” (APA).  It is hopeful that in the future, with more programs like this, America can create awareness and put an end to bullying.  This is just one of many ways Psychological disorders can be recognized.     

"The challenge with gun laws is that by definition criminals do not follow the law," spokesman Alex Conant once said.  This nicely sums up my thoughts; a criminal’s persistent, unstable mind will inevitably lead them to violence, despite particular regulations.  No substantial changes have been made from increased physical security.  It’s time we focus on the deeper problems surrounding violence: mental health.  Added security measures do not solve a person’s urge to plan a massacre.  Extremely expensive security and heightened gun control is not going to stop the shooter’s desire to kill.  Even though metal can be detected, a fragile mind may not always be seen.
