The Spoke Editorial Board voted unanimously in favor of this editorial.
Recently, multiple schools in the greater Philadelphia area, including Conestoga, received swatting phone calls indicating threats that were later determined to be false. The threats were a hoax designed to trick emergency services into sending police forces to the schools. An hour later, Conestoga students were able to return to their usual school schedule. Unfortunately, many similar incidents in the U.S. escalate beyond false alarms, involving real threats of gun violence or bomb attacks that place students and staff in serious danger.
According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were 34 school shootings in 2003, a number that has grown to 352 incidents in 2023. This 930% increase in gun violence is not being publicized enough and begs the question: why are the American people normalizing gun violence, and what should we do to address gun violence? One example of this normalization can be seen in the Penn Wynne April community newsletter, which was largely filled with cheerful summer plans but abruptly included a short line on an elementary school robbery at gunpoint. The contrast between lighthearted community news and an act of violence in a school was deeply jarring. Yet, the newsletter presented the incident with little explanation and only brief details, highlighting how accustomed and desensitized society has become to violence.
A 2020 scientific public opinion survey by Gallup found that 44% of adults live in households containing guns anywhere on their property and 32% of adults personally own a gun. The accessibility of firearms, as well as the high volume of gun ownership, heavily influence gun violence and school shootings in America by increasing the availability of deadly weapons and making violent acts easier to carry out. Additionally, households containing firearms pose a threat to children and their communities, as Healthy Children by the American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that in 2026, 4.6 million kids nationwide live with unlocked, loaded guns in their homes. This is especially scary for adolescents who are developing mentally and might go through depression or periods of mental instability. Having firearms or weapons in the house can lead to a higher risk of suicide, accidental firing and injuries, as proven by a 2022 Johns Hopkins study.
One would believe that the next logical step to prevent these unexpected outbreaks of violence and tragedy would be to implement a law that limits firearms and requires background checks on buyers. However, a 2024 Gallup poll found that 79% of people do not think there should be a law that would ban the possession of handguns except for authorized persons. This resistance to stricter gun control contrasts sharply with countries such as Ireland, where strict handgun regulations implemented in the 1970s have contributed to the zero gun-related homicides recorded in 2025, according to Irish media. The difference between these two countries demonstrates how firearm accessibility directly influences gun violence. If we continue to allow people to have uncontrolled possession of firearms, then we are endangering our community.
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” This specific amendment was ratified in 1791 to protect America against both foreign invaders and domestic tyranny. However, we are no longer part of a revolution or rejecting the monarchy. Moreover, our Constitution has gradually evolved with our lifestyles and values; it has also been modified to abolish slavery and give women the right to vote. Therefore, it can be amended to prioritize safety and reflect the current social landscape.
We as a country must realize that gun violence is an issue and that many people lose loved ones or face tragedies each day. Addressing this problem or caring about public safety should not be a controversial issue nor affiliate a person with a political party. We must publicize and stop the desensitization of dangerous situations relating to gun violence.
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