As we continue to reflect on the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., where 20 children and six adults, including AFT members, were violently killed, we need to ask ourselves one question: “What do we want as the legacy for these 26 innocent people?” Though we can never change what happened or remove the deep sense of loss, we can make sure there is a meaningful and impactful response to their deaths. To not do so would be unforgivable.
In this day and age, there is a tendency to look for a “silver bullet” to solve deep and complex problems. In this case though, the oft-used term typically used to mean a quick fix solution is being applied literally as the NRA claims the solution is to put armed guards in every school and many others suggest arming teachers as if literal silver bullets will be able to stop someone with an automatic assault rifle from violently killing those in his path.
Is putting more ammunition in the school really the legacy our innocent victims, most of them small children, deserve? And does this response do anything to solve the larger problem of students who are killed day after day by guns outside of the school walls?
This is a deep and complex problem that includes conversation about how this country deals with mental illness, whether violent movies and games are desensitizing us to violence, and whether hateful speech from either side of the aisle provides the wrong kind of incentive. This conversation must start with guns and easy access to military assault weapons and clips of hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
We can talk about guards in school, which I believe should be a local decision, and arming teachers, which I think is a bad idea. But let’s not let concern for political implications shy us away from the real difficult conversation about access to guns.
We know that we cannot stop every senseless act of violence. We can, however, make these acts harder to commit and less damaging due to the types of weapons available.
AFT has submitted a series of recommendations to the White House for consideration by President Obama, Vice President Biden, and other leaders who are working to develop a plan to create safer schools and communities. They are also forming a diverse committee of AFT leaders to shape our agenda to ensure safe schools and communities and sensible gun safety laws while also respecting our Second Amendment rights.
AFT is also urging support for HB 308 to ban the production and sale of high-capacity ammunition clips. We ask you to write to your congressman to urge passage of this legislation.
Creating safe schools can't be an empty promise. It will require a balanced approach that addresses both the physical and emotional safety of kids, educators and school employees - including comprehensive school safety programs and procedures, welcoming and supportive school environments, mental health supports and commonsense gun safety legislation.
We have witnessed the violent effects of gun violence for too long - both in our schools and in our neighborhoods. The tragic massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary must be a galvanizing moment to change this. OFT and AFT are prepared to flesh out ideas and work with policy leaders to create safe schools and communities for everyone in America.