Every day, roughly 125 people in America are killed with guns. Guns are also the leading cause of death among American adolescents. Gun violence is a persistent problem in our current society, and the dangers of such weapons spark national controversy. Most Americans have guns, or know someone who has a gun. The question is, are these dangerous weapons in the right hands?
In 2025 alone, at least 40 schools have experienced a school shooting. Just recently, a Catholic school in Minnesota suffered a gun violence attack, resulting in the tragic loss of two children and 21 individuals were injured. Historical events such as the 2012 Sandy Hook mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, resulted in the loss of 20 students and seven adults, remain in national consciousness. Adam Lanza, the perpetrator of the Sandy Hook shooting, has a mental health history consisting of social isolation and an obsession with mass murderers. Lanza was diagnosed with Asperger’s and OCD at the age of 14.
Recently, in the media, Americans have heard a lot about gun violence. On September 10, political activist, Charlie Kirk, was shot while addressing Utah Valley University about gun safety. On the same day, a shooting occurred at a Colorado high school where two students were critically wounded. The Colorado shooter, Desmond Holly, age 16, was a student at Evergreen High School in Colorado. Authorities found out the shooter was radicalized by a Nazi community online, which fueled his intent.
On the other hand, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the Charlie Kirk shooter, was known to be radicalized and expressed this to family and friends. Robinson was described by past classmates as “quiet all the time.” These tragedies bring our national focus on gun violence.
Experts and citizens alike are asked: how can such tragedies be prevented?
Greater Latrobe student, Sydney Schmidt, stressed the issue of gun violence in schools and the country alike. “I see what happens at other schools, and it makes me wonder if my school could be next,” she says. “The issue of gun violence is something the whole country should be talking about. It should be an open, uncomfortable topic.”
The answer is that we can prevent it, but not solve the problem. As a nation, we need to adopt an identity of firearm safety. To achieve this, we must restrict access to these powerful weapons among young people.
The United States does not have many guidelines for gun safety. These deaths are an outcome of the country’s weak political will to protect its people. Every American should have a way to defend themselves- but at what cost?
The debate between Gun Violence vs. the Second Amendment causes tension between safety and the Constitution. The Second Amendment was written to protect America’s right to establish a militia to defend themselves, not to allow Americans to own guns.
While there is no simple solution, prevention can still be possible. Officer Swiderski, the school resource officer at Greater Latrobe, explains that there are many telltale signs of someone who may commit an act of gun violence. “Hating the structure of school or having mental illnesses or being looked down upon by peers can make students want to do such a deed,” explains Officer Swiderski. “Students are our eyes and ears throughout the school. YOU know your own peers better than I do. You know if something is up with someone because you spend hours a day with them,” Swiderski described.
On the topic of solutions, Swiderski emphasized the importance of personal responsibility. “If there is a will, there is a way,” he says. “It doesn’t matter what rules are in place; if someone wants a gun, they will get one.”
While his statement highlights the challenge of legislating safety, experts suggest that measures can still be implemented to reduce risk. Those include stricter background checks, safer storage of firearms in homes, and even school programs such as early intervention and threat assessment to help students identify at-risk individuals.
Ultimately, reducing gun violence is a combined effort- vigilance from peers, guidance from authorities, and responsible firearm policies at every level of society. While complete eradication of gun violence is most likely not possible, we, as Americans, can all help each other to take a critical step toward safer schools and safer communities.
