Schools become targets

School shootings have become an ongoing and devastating crisis in the United States. In 2025 alone, there have been 232 reported school shootings across the country, impacting students, educators, and families nationwide. Addressing this crisis required stronger gun regulations, increased access to mental health resources, and improved school safety measures to prevent further violence.

A concerned parent of a Costa student said, “It’s scary knowing anything can happen at any time.”
One widely reported example occurred in December, when one suspect was linked to a mass shooting at Brown University that left 11 people injured and two students dead. Authorities later connected the same suspect to the fatal shooting of an MIT professor. Incidents like this highlight how school shootings extend beyond a single campus and reflect a larger national pattern of gun violence, showing that even our governments don’t care enough to find and detain a suspect before they strike again.

Research indicates that policy decisions can influence the frequency of school shootings. A study from Boston University found that school shootings were less likely to occur in states that require background checks for gun and ammunition purchases and that invest more in mental health services and education. Expanding school based mental health programs can help identify individuals in crisis before violence occurs. Additional safety measures, such as controlled campus access and emergency response protocols, can further reduce risk while maintaining a productive learning environment.

“I feel pretty safe on campus knowing that our drills provide good information and skills for us to use during possible emergencies,” said Paige Lupton, a sophomore at Costa.

Opponents of stricter gun regulations argue that such policies infringe on constitutional rights. However, the continued rise in school shootings suggest that current protections are insufficient. With 232 incidents reported iStronger gun laws, expanded mental health resn a single year, prioritizing students safety is essential. ources, and improved school safety measures are necessary steps toward ensuring that schools remain places of learning rather than fear.