Uniting for Change: Effective Policy & Advocacy for Gun Safety

America’s schools are among the safest places for children to be on a daily basis. But for the last 20 years, our students, educators, and parents have lived with the fear of devastating school shootings. This does not have to be. We can foster safe, supportive schools—free from gun violence—by addressing the factors that lead to violent incidents and implementing proven strategies that contribute to a healthy school climate. This session will describe the scope of gun violence in the United States before focusing on evidence-based solutions that address the underlying causes of school gun violence and that prevent guns from coming into schools in the first place. These solutions include enacting common-sense gun laws, protecting schools with evidence-based actions, and rejecting dangerous policies like arming teachers. Participants will leave the session with information about policies they can advocate for at the local and state level to improve school safety.