The 1990s marked a new era in American history, one dominated by thoughts, prayers and grief: the era of school shootings. Although mass shootings existed long before they entered campuses, Georgia continues to reel from the pain inflicted in Apalachee High School September 4, building a fresh perspective on the deadly issue of gun violence.
While they watch gun violence continue to kill, students feel as though their voices do not matter. Schools limit weekday protests so engaging in walkouts, for example, could leave a student facing suspension, expulsion or detention. While schools possess a right and responsibility to enforce typical rules to keep students safe, preventative action dampers teens’ democratic spark for civil disobedience. Established organizations can provide an outlet for protests, both for the youth and adults, with an established voice that asserts itself.
“We were going to do the walkout at school, which got shut down. The Cobb County district sent out an email threatening suspension at minimum for anyone who did it. That was planned for 16 days after the Apalachee shooting, and only then [the day of the protest] did the school say something and offer an extended moment of silence,” junior Jasper Brooks said.
Due to the U.S. Constitution’s second amendment — interpreted by prevailing court decisions as a blanket protection of gun ownership — states struggle to regulate guns. These regulations could include who has access to firearms, the models they have access to and how owners can store and carry the weapons. Unfortunately, organizations such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) or the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) influence Congress and state governments, limiting gun control advocates’ abilities to stay in office. This government influence harms efforts to prevent gun violence, but civilian involvement can impact how politicians, media and organizations treat the subject.
The Everytown organization originated ten years ago. The 2013 founding connected two national groups: Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense. Now, Everytown works for legal action through advocacy, court action and candidate support. It promotes public understanding of gun violence by bringing awareness to the subject and promoting research, a noble cause considering 2021’s 48,830 people who died in the U.S. alone. It also furthers citizens’ voices through local movements.
As an individual, one may participate in Everytown’s fight by joining or expanding their groups including local Students Demand Action chapters, Moms Demand Action chapters and volunteering to grow outreach with phone calls or assist with BeSMART. The latter campaign educates and encourages people to use safe gun storage to protect young people.
Between virtual events and the opportunity to lead local ones, Everytown enables those searching for a means to fight gun violence to join an effective coalition. This effectiveness shines through in the organization’s history of collecting data, creating a network for gun violence survivors and promoting voter registration.
Named after one of its founders, Giffords began in response to American gun violence. Because congresswoman Gabby Giffords received a shot to the head at a political event, she stepped down from her political position to recover, but as gun violence continued to swirl around her, particularly at Sandy Hook Elementary, she started the organization.
Giffords focuses on change through legal action. It partners with lawyers, survivors and medical professionals to introduce and support laws that could save lives. In courts, the organization and its pro bono partners support gun safety through amicus curiae briefs. Students and adults alike can support the cause with Giffords in a multitude of ways. They can donate money to the nonprofit to support political influence for gun safety. Anyone can join the action network, which connects members to more local opportunities, and participation in one of the organization’s coalitions. Even simply educating oneself with the organization’s resources and sharing that information can change the world.
Brady holds its place as an established organization for gun control. Dr. Mark Borinsky founded it in 1974, supporting efforts to control handguns. Perhaps uncommonly conservative for a gun control organization, Brady focuses on common sense gun laws, touting the Brady Act. According to the FBI, annual mass shootings sky-rocketed from three in the year 2000 to sixty-one in 2021, so despite Brady’s historic work, the fight against violence needs fresh minds.
The organization takes a holistic approach to the issue, aiming to change laws, culture and industry. The organization targets specific sources of gun violence in law, both federally and locally. It influences culture with initiatives emphasizing how owners should store firearms and pointing out superfluous ownership. Finally, Brady emphasizes industry accountability with legal action.
People can work with Brady by joining one of its activist groups. Team ENOUGH appeals to youth, for example, and anyone can join or start a local chapter of the organization. Brady also provides petitions to sign and events — both digital and in-person — that Americans can attend.
“I am a student in a high school that has received shooter threats. Our middle school received them. I have family all over the state of Georgia in schools, and I worry about their safety. I wish it [gun violence] was more discussed or talked about. We really dance around the topic as a community and country as a whole,” Brooks said.
