Dear Future President,

Schools are supposed to be a safe environment for students to go and learn. Violence in schools has become more frequent. School shootings are a subject everyone has to worry about.

Adults and students are both affected after witnessing a shooting inside their school. Penn State officials say, “witnessing a school shooting can have emotional, physical, and psychological effects. These effects include nightmares, resisting the return to school, headaches, stomach problems, and sleeping problems.” The American Psychological Association reports, “other symptoms such as a change in a child’s school performance, changes in relationships with friends and teachers, anxiety, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed.” Witnessing a school shooting doesn’t only terrorize people but it also has lasting effects on their physical and mental health.

Fox News reports, “Since the 1999 Columbine Massacre, that left 15 people dead, there has been determined effort among administrators, principals, and teachers to improve school safety.” In effect, there has been no added safety. Only you, our future President, can help remedy in this situation. ABC News reports, “there have been 31 school shootings in the US since the columbine shooting in 1999. The rate of people killed by guns in the US is 19.5 times higher than similar high-income countries in the world.” I do not believe gun control is the answer here. School shootings aren’t done because of guns. Most school shootings happen because the shooter wants to be noticed and/or accepted.

Katherine Newton, an investigator, stated, “one reason shooters tip their hands is that they are trying to solve a problem. Though they are often intelligent, high performing boys, their peers tend to see them as unattractive losers, weak and unmanly.” Newton also stated, “The shooting is the last act in a long drama; a search for acceptance and recognition.” Shooters plan these acts to pretty much gain control and make people see them differently.

Gun control isn’t going to help the problem of school shootings. Schools need a lot more security. Penn State officials said, “Some people prefer hiring armed guards with a background in law enforcement.” That’s exactly what we need Mr. President. There are so many unemployed veterans and retired law enforcement officers, who need and want jobs but can’t get one. To gain more security in schools, security officers should be hired for every school in the US. The security officers should be armed and on duty at all times during school hours. Who better to give those jobs too other than veterans and ex law enforcement officers? If that is put into action, two problems would be addressed and helped: school shootings would decrease and the number of unemployed ex-law enforcement officers and veterans would also decrease.

Sincerely,

Keyra