School Shootings

NightNerd, MSN, RN · May 19, 2018

To begin with...
1). Someone below age 18/21 got YOUR gun? You have to surrender every single one of your guns and never can buy them again.
2). As above + someone got killed? You go to jail.
3). You got to register to own a gun, get license, pass exam, pay yearly tax, demonstrate ownership of a working safe programmed by your fingerprint. Just pretty much like you do with your driving license.
4). No one in household of a person with known history of certain felonies (like aggravated assault) and mental health disorders (known anger outbursts within last 5 years with h/o harm to others or involuntary confinement) can store a gun. If they still want to shoot, they can own one but must belong to some sort of organization like hunting club and store it there.
5). Only organized sales with centralized background check. No more gun shows.
6). PMHNP/Pediatrics in EVERY school. Double the number of high school counselors, force them to have at least 6 months education specifically in children's mental health issues.
7). No military- grade guns for public (or whatever the stuff is named). The existing ones are bought out by State within 10 years. Having them after that = felony, with all the sequela.
8). "Want to help America? Stop a bully, whenever you see one! Back to manners, USA!"(yup, including reporting to police that guy on Facebook who just said that Hitler was the greatest man ever and all immigrants are pigs).
9). Make mental health, and especially holistic mental health management, a priority over heart disease in management and prevention. Force employers to provide FMLA for that and insurers pay for medical stress management, gyms and community health activities.
10). EVERY school district gets a community center for teens, led by teens (ours has one, and it does splendid job. "Girls only/boys only" nights, pool parties, shopping crazies, tutoring, games, summer camps, book clubs. But we're in district which doesn't know how else to spend money it gets).
Sounds like something that makes sense?

I wish I could like this a thousand times.

cleback · May 19, 2018

To begin with...
1). Someone below age 18/21 got YOUR gun? You have to surrender every single one of your guns and never can buy them again.
2). As above + someone got killed? You go to jail.
3). You got to register to own a gun, get license, pass exam, pay yearly tax, demonstrate ownership of a working safe programmed by your fingerprint. Just pretty much like you do with your driving license.
4). No one in household of a person with known history of certain felonies (like aggravated assault) and mental health disorders (known anger outbursts within last 5 years with h/o harm to others or involuntary confinement) can store a gun. If they still want to shoot, they can own one but must belong to some sort of organization like hunting club and store it there.
5). Only organized sales with centralized background check. No more gun shows.
6). PMHNP/Pediatrics in EVERY school. Double the number of high school counselors, force them to have at least 6 months education specifically in children's mental health issues.
7). No military- grade guns for public (or whatever the stuff is named). The existing ones are bought out by State within 10 years. Having them after that = felony, with all the sequela.
8). "Want to help America? Stop a bully, whenever you see one! Back to manners, USA!"(yup, including reporting to police that guy on Facebook who just said that Hitler was the greatest man ever and all immigrants are pigs).
9). Make mental health, and especially holistic mental health management, a priority over heart disease in management and prevention. Force employers to provide FMLA for that and insurers pay for medical stress management, gyms and community health activities.
10). EVERY school district gets a community center for teens, led by teens (ours has one, and it does splendid job. "Girls only/boys only" nights, pool parties, shopping crazies, tutoring, games, summer camps, book clubs. But we're in district which doesn't know how else to spend money it gets).
Sounds like something that makes sense?

I would second this. It may not be perfect or please everyone but it's better than being heartbroken and doing nothing.

Orion81RN · May 19, 2018

1. On the gun control topic, as a person living in Illinois with some of the strictest gun laws, and as a person who has had not one, not two, but THREE psychiatric hospital stays, am able to own a gun. Because it hasn't happened in the last 5 years. As if my depression has a 5 year deadline.

Illinois FOID application:

Quote: I have not been a patient in a mental institution or any part of a medical facility for the treatment of mental illness within the past 5 years.

Another quote: I have not within the past 5 years been convicted of battery, assault, aggravated assault, violation of an order of protection, or a substantially similar offense in which a firearm was used or possessed.

5 years????? They should NEVER be able to own a gun EVER again.

Again with a deadline. A pretty short one at that. We need to adapt to the times. The writers of the Constitution knew this, therefore included amendments for a reason.

I hear the argument that, "So you're saying because I did something stupid in my late teens, early 20's, I should not be allowed to own a gun ever?"

Well, yes. That is exactly what I am saying. We have to adapt to the changes in our society, and people need to learn that their choices, at even a young age, can and do have permanent consequences.

Let's not forget the statistics that an accident is way more likely to happen than actually saving yourself/your family from an intruder. Everyone thinks they are a responsible, safe gun owner....until tragedy strikes. Kids watch and absorb everything. And they sure are curious creatures. The statistics, according to the CDC, show 35% of kids admitted to handling their parents weapon while, the parents, when speaking to them, were absolutely sure their kids had not ever handled their parent's weapon without the parent knowing. (I'm not saying take away everyone's guns, that's NOT going to happen..but....look at the statistics as just food for thought when considering purchasing a weapon). Also, ask yourself why the CDC had stopped funding gun control research.

"In 1996, the Republican-majority Congress threatened to strip funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unless it stopped funding research into firearm injuries and deaths. The National Rifle Association accused the CDC of promoting gun control. As a result, the CDC stopped funding gun-control research."

Washington Post

2. metal detectors in all schools. The argument: "I don't want my kids school to be like a prison." Again, we have to think about the changing times. I'd rather a kid have to walk through a metal detector than get gunned down bc a gun was easily brought into the school.

3. Place HIGHLY trained retired police/military or millitary reserve to safeguard schools. Instead of throwing money at teachers who a) didn't sign up to be law enforcement b) don't have the supplies as it is, yet magically there is suddenly money to put guns in their pockets and the supposed HIGH training to do so??? c) should have their focus on the kids, not on grabbing their gun. I simply do not believe they would provide sufficient gun and active shooter training for teachers willing to do it. Put that money and time to employ retired police/military or military reserve personnel to keep our kids and school staff safe and let the teachers do their jobs that don't have the supplies to do their jobs as it is.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · May 19, 2018

IMO, sensationalizing shootings in the media has made the situation worse. It is a catch 22, yes we need to know about it but also making others more aware has caused it to become more of a problem.

Something has to be done! I have 3 years before my son goes off to high school, not that they are safe in lower grade levels anymore either but the majority of shootings seem to happen at high schools.

At this point I am okay with the idea of metal detectors and pat downs in high school.

I really do NOT think mental health is the big issue. I think that making people aware that this is an option by making a big news event every time it happens has caused an increase in shootings in America. Sure there need to be more resources in schools for kids who need it, but there need to be safer environments in general. Of course gun laws need to change. We are no longer free if we have to worry about our safety in school, movie theaters, concerts, etc.

If we have to think of ways to keep kindergartners safe in their own school from being shot, then rights in America need to change and freedom is not what it used to be. We no longer have the right to bear arms.

klone, MSN, RN · May 19, 2018

This one hit close to home for me. I've been a part of an internet group of breastfeeding moms for 18 years. One of my mom friends from that group lost her daughter in that shooting yesterday. I have no words - just impotent anger and sadness. I feel like it doesn't matter. It won't change. If 20 6-year-olds getting mowed down while they huddled in a closet doesn't change anything, nothing will. I feel utterly, completely defeated.

RIP Kimberly.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · May 19, 2018

There has been so many shootings in the USA, and every time one happens people say we have to change things. But nothing ever does. And a thread on a nursing website isn't going to help.
The us government has to step up and put policy's in place. No one needs a gun. People wanting a gun shouldn't be prioritise over people's life's.
As some one not from the USA it seems rediculous how unsafe it is there. I love travelling and want to see the world, but there's no way I would go to America in its current state.

That is why OP started this thread to actually do something. OP wants to mail this thread to the Governor of Texas. Yes, it will help and instead of putting it down, it is time to be supportive of efforts made to make a positive change!

Buckeye.nurse · May 19, 2018

I agree that there aren't easy answers...or answers that seem easy to some of us (like stricter gun control) spark explosive responses in others. I do think that metal detectors at the doors to schools are needed nationwide. Yes, there is the risk of making kids feel like they are entering "prison" or are being treated like "criminals" when they are waved with a wand. BUT anyone who has gone to a concert recently has gone through the same process. I don't feel like I'm entering prison when I go to a music festival. All of us waiting in line were more than happy to go through the metal detector and have our purses/bags searched knowing that it made the concert going experience safer for everyone.

Edited to say that metal detectors without at least a few trained officers present to enforce them are useless.

OldDude · May 19, 2018

This one hit close to home for me. I've been a part of an internet group of breastfeeding moms for 18 years. One of my mom friends from that group lost her daughter in that shooting yesterday. I have no words - just impotent anger and sadness. I feel like it doesn't matter. It won't change. If 20 6-year-olds getting mowed down while they huddled in a closet doesn't change anything, nothing will. I feel utterly, completely defeated.
RIP Kimberly.

Oh God! Words are a feeble,yet well intentioned, attempt to offer support but don't change much otherwise. Since we can't hug you or Kimberly's mom, please know the thousands reading your post are clutching their chest with grief for you and yours. Dear God!

azhiker96, BSN, RN · May 19, 2018

I think metal detectors and armed security is a good evidence based solution. That has been in use for several decades at many inner city schools. It was implemented in the US in response to gang violence. Israel implemented school security in the 1960s in response to a terror attack.

I've heard the argument against saying the kids will feel like they are in prison. Please, the kids are smarter than that. They see metal detectors and armed security when they go to concerts and sports venues. If it is explained well the kids will accept it.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · May 19, 2018

IMO, sensationalizing shootings in the media has made the situation worse. It is a catch 22, yes we need to know about it but also making others more aware has caused it to become more of a problem.

This. We glamorize it every single time.

As an avid shooter, I love the idea of gun control. There are already so many things in place that SHOULD help but they are either not enforced or slip through the cracks time and time again. New laws, new restrictions dont do anything unless the old ones can be enforced better. These feel good, knee jerk reactions to things dont change anything ( banning bump stocks will not stop a shooter, high cap mag restrictions won't lower shootings ).

Too many times too its a gun control vs mental health vs bullying. Everyone wants to blame the other side and its not going to do anything either. Everyone needs to work together or its always going to be like one side is getting attacked.

wondern, ASN · May 19, 2018

Protect schools like we do airports. Treat bullies like we do terrorists.

OldDude · May 19, 2018

...
Too many times too its a gun control vs mental health vs bullying. Everyone wants to blame the other side and its not going to do anything either. Everyone needs to work together or its always going to be like one side is getting attacked.

This is exactly the point of this thread. Opposing opinions and ideas in an objective format from those who see, hold, smell, and fight for the lives of the result of school shootings.

Like I say, someone may have the golden key, a yet unthought of but simple intervention. Thank you.