Texas School Shooting.

Essays | Nithya Kunta | May 25th, 2022.

Only 10 days after the mass shooting in Buffalo, 21 people were killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. 19 children between the ages of 7 and 9 as well as 2 adults are among the fatalities. The shooter, an 18 year old male resident of Uvalde, was later shot down by law enforcement. 

The mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary was nearly 10 years ago, yet no preventative action has been taken. Since then, there have been over 900 incidents of gunfire on school grounds and in 2022 alone, there have been at least 30 shootings in K-12 schools. 

We cannot become desensitized to gun violence. It’s impossible to imagine how many children feared for their lives, how many children had their futures ripped from them, how many times this has happened before. But at this rate of inaction, it is possible to imagine how many more similar tragedies could occur.

Why are mass shootings a uniquely American issue? Gun lobbying and delaying tactics in the Senate have hindered efforts by lawmakers to reform US gun policies. For example, even though 90% of Americans support universal background checks, 50 senators continue to refuse to vote on HR8, a bill to implement background check rules. 

How can you help?

• Contact your elected representatives and demand support for effective gun violence prevention legislation (call your US senators and representatives using the number 202-225-3121 and tell them that you support a federal ban on assault weapons and high capacity ammunition magazines) 

• Join a local gun violence prevention organization (visit States United to Prevent Gun Violence)

• Text ACT to 644-33 and CHANGE to 954-954 for updates

• Donate to organizations working to stop gun violence in America (Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, Brady Campaign, Giffords, etc)