We Asked, You Answered! 50 People Share 50 Ways to Fight Gun Violence

Here’s a not-fun fact: Gun violence (or however you phrase it) is on the rise. Addressing this issue and making sure everyday citizens are safe, particularly school children, is of the utmost importance.

We want to see a future where kids can learn and grow without the pervasive threat of a school shooter bursting into what’s meant to be a safe environment.

For our ProtectPanel giveaway, we asked you all what measures you would take to address gun violence and prioritize the safety of everyday citizens, particularly school children, if you were a U.S. government official.

Out of the ton of great responses, five main measures stood out. Here’s what you said:

 

"Enhanced Background Checks and Mental Health Evaluation"

1. Do background checks not allowing people under psychiatric care to purchase guns, and have armed guards at all schools.

– John M.

2. If I were a government official I would require extensive regulations and laws when it comes to firearms such as require a thorough background check and even a psych evaluation on each and everyone who attempts to purchase a firearm.

– Jasmine C.

3. Make sure people who are being treated for mental illness are reported so they cannot buy a gun.

– Brad R.

4. Criminal record check and gun safety certification course before purchase of firearms.

– Marco M.

5. A psychological profile upon initial background check. A stronger vetting process may help.

– Shane L.

7. If a weapon is to be carried in public as in a license to carry then must complete a background check 14 day safety class and be required to have a specialized insurance made for individuals carrying a weapon on their person.

– Yvonne R.

8. Background checks should be better.

– Robert O.

9. I would ensure deep background and psychological checks are done and criminal records are checked. I would ensure guns are sold to people of age 25 and above.

– Adriel C.

10. I am a gun owner. I remember being stunned at just how easy it was to buy my first gun. I walked in and pointed at a .22 I thought looked cool. They took my name and social security number, made a phone call and then rang me up all in about 45 minutes! (Around 2006 in Birmingham AL). By contrast I had to jump through all kinds of hoops to drive a car. Classes Training licensing and insurance that I must always maintain. Also I pay a tax annually to drive it on the roads. And if I screw up and break the rules or do damage or hurt someone else I am in trouble. I could lose my privilege to drive and I could pay fines or even do time. I feel we need a similar process for guns. There needs to be a system for thoroughly vetting people before they can buy. Mental health history and/or violent behavior prior should be a red flag and at least investigated. Background checks and maybe a mandatory psychiatric evaluation could catch someone in crisis that might hurt children or others.

–Anon

 

12. First of all guns are not the problem. The problem is people who have no business owning a gun are shooting up America left and right. So background checks that flag mental illness or treatment of mental illness would be a fantastic start.

– David L.

13. I remember the day I learned that the 2nd amendment was written before bullets were invented and I thought…hmm perhaps we need to update this a bit. I’m fine with most people having the ability to own a firearm. But it’s insane to just hand them out to anyone because…freedom. It’s a right to have access but it's a privilege to own and operate one responsibly. We have a responsibility to our children to figure out how to protect them. They have the right to not be afraid of dying a violent death while at school. That seems like a really important thing that we as a society should prioritize.

– Anon

14. #1) I would run a campaign that ends the term "GUN violence" since there is no such thing and replace it with the truth: " the violent use of guns by mentally ill PEOPLE". #2) I would do all I could to expand and improve mental illness diagnosis, intervention and treatment.

–Jim H.

 

 

"Increased Funding for School Safety Measures"

15. I would have trained people, retired military officers of the law, or trained people with a CCW to be stationed at the school.

–Brian E.

16. Provide armed security at each school. Oversee security of each school site: for example playgrounds away from roads & public locked building doors after start of school day or limited access with code for faculty reporting protocol by any student or faculty who notices suspicious activity teaching basic values in the school system (Love your neighbor as yourself) etc..

– Kathryn H.

18. Fund and equip all school grounds with trained/armed police officers. Fortify the schools and ask for volunteers in the school to help and be aware of the school climate at all times. If everyone wanted schools safer they would allocate the money and implement a plan. I am a teacher and would gladly carry at school if the law permitted it. When I'm at school is my most vulnerable time of the day and I'm unarmed and uncomfortable.

– David L.

19. A manned controlled (gated, surveilled and if possible metal detectors installed) entrance into elementary and high schools should be a mandatory requirement. We mandate speed limits around schools for safety adding this infrastructure for safety should not be part of the needs for our children's safety in schools.

– James E.

20. All schools should have at least one armed guard/resource officer! Also schools need to be locked down during school hours. Just locking the doors is not enough. All entrance points need to be bullet proof or at least have wire mesh reinforced glass. In addition all entrances need to have vehicle deterrent features such as short Ballard poles to prevent vehicles from being driven through the doors. Our government can easily finance these improvements with just a fraction of our money that is being sent to Ukraine.

– Tom W.

21. Honestly we have been going about this all wrong. Schools should be protected with top priority, always. Every school should have atleast 5 officers on active duty at all time at all entrances and metal detectors should be mandatory and the states and US government should pay this bill. Stop giving wasted money to foreign countries and free money to people. Protect America and its youth at all costs.

– David G.

 

 

"Stricter Regulations on Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines"

23. There needs to be limits to what type of weapons people can have after they’ve passed the background check too. The military style weapons are just too dangerous, at least for the majority of people. No one needs anything other than a rifle for hunting or a pistol for home defense and recreational target practice.

– Anon

23. To begin with I would ban assault style guns for everyone except the military & law enforcement. I would put in place strict "red flag" laws which would allow sharing on a central database accessible by law enforcement & government agencies that grant or deny weapon permits in each state information about individuals who have been found not guilty by "reason of insanity" & domestic violence.

–  Karen R.

24. No large capacity magazines or armor piercing ammo.

– Leroy J.

25. First off I would change open carry law. There is no reason to be able to walk around with assault rifles! Unless you are police or military or with another type of law enforcement. …I am not against guns. Almost all of my family are or were military and many of them carry and some of them should have been denied this right. We are living in a very crazy world; anything can happen anywhere. We should be able to defend and protect ourselves and others but I feel more needs to be done other than more people having more guns.

– Kimberly R.

26. I believe the key area that we can make a difference is to put a ban on assault rifles which there is no need for to hunt game and to make the licensing process to obtain a license and continue to have one stricter and more in line with other countries who have less gun violence. It should be harder to obtain and keep a license to own a gun than it is to drive a car. So a background check, psychological checks and a national database that keeps this active, so if someone gets flagged for anything later the license (and guns in that specific situation) can be pulled.

– Stuart C.

27. Buy back and destroy all assault weapons.

– Samuel D.

29. Stop the sale of assault rifles. No citizen needs an assault rifle.

– Stephen B.

30. Enact federal red flag laws and renew the assault rifle ban.

– Kevin M.

31. Make semi auto weapons illegal.

– Jaqueta I.

 

"Promoting Safe Storage and Gun Education"

32. If a citizen wants to own a weapon they would need to attend a 14-day safety and Shoot Don’t Shoot class.

–Yvonne R.

33. There needs to be required training on safe storage and use. We need every owner to be licensed and registered. There should be potential legal repercussions for allowing your weapon to get into someone else’s hands.

–Anon

34. Safety is very important and everyone should go to safety class to know everything they need to know about the gun, how to use it and use it safely and where to store it so children will not get their hands on it.

– Anjala J.

35. Since the world of “gun violence” has evolved it’s only necessary that the way we protect evolves with it. I think that since no amount of gun laws or any similar such keep criminals or determined radicals from acquiring firearms and/or body armor that will also not deter them from doing harm unto others. That’s why it’s incredibly paramount that civilians should take advantage of their rights and get firearms and protective armor for themselves so that they can constitutionally protect themselves and their families. It’s not just given in the constitution, it’s a God-given right.

– Henry S.

37. Hold parents accountable for not keeping firearms locked away from children and push for more firearm safety training available.

– Kenneth P.

38. Require a gun safety assessment prior to being allowed to own a firearm similar to requirements for a drivers license. You’re not contributing to anyone’s 2nd amendment rights if you're unqualified with a gun. Enforcement of and improvements to red flag laws is also necessary and needed.

–  Matthew B

 

 

"Community Engagement and Mental Health Programs"

39. I would make it mandatory for school age children to get appropriate, safe, meaningful gun use training.

– Jim H.

40. Individuals who intend to commit harm will always commit harm. Increased security measures should be put in place in schools and public businesses. Instead of blaming the tool (the gun) we should address the mental health of the one who wields the tool. As we progress into a world of less social interaction, the chances of these events will increase even more. People need outlets to express feelings and grow. People should be less focused on external appearance and learn about the true emotions of their friends, family neighbors and coworkers. Yet ultimately until Jesus returns this issue will continue. Sin ensures its continuation. We are a nation at war with Jesus.

– Collin M.

41. More mental health services available at the grade school level.

– Eric F.

42. Spend more money or use resources to look into and make laws to help and support mental illness and hold families accountable for getting proper mental health care to insure they do not get ahold of firearms or use them if they have a mental illness.

– Darrell W.

43. Better overall mental health in the entire country. Our emotional intelligence and caring is very lacking in this country. People who are checked on and not let to slip down a black hole won't shoot up schools and churches.

–  Jeffrey H.

44. Support traditional family values. I would say use more metal detectors and x-ray machines but that didn't do much for preventing 9/11 attacks. Our culture has become more violent so probably listening to experts about why our society is declining. Then attempt to fix it.

– Crystal W.

45. My primary focus would be on social services to address the root causes. Mental health facilities were essentially dismantled during the Reagan administration. I saw a few closures in my own city. There needs to be genuine mental health care with actual availability, especially crisis care. Universal healthcare would help as well. Access is a problem for many due to our for profit private insurance based system. Our country is the only country out of 33 developed nations to offer its citizens neither Healthcare nor paid maternity leave. Income inequality is another factor. Desperate people are capable of desperate acts. Ensuring all of our citizens have access to the basic necessities, food, shelter and health care would go a long way to reduce gun crimes of desperation.

–  Walter G.

46. I would increase funding to make mental Healthcare more accessible. An abundance of mental health facilities in regard to local population density. With the amount of money our government currently wastes I'm confident that the prioritizing of specific funds would make the above measures I mentioned to have plenty of funding.

– Matt W.

48. Carefully and thoroughly evaluate the true cause of gun violence and take the necessary careful actions to reduce. The problem with people willing to commit such heinous crimes and violence should be identified with potential causes including antidepressants, anxiety medications, social issues, including the impact of violence in movies, video games, the breakdown of the American family, etc. If guns were the problem then cars drive drunk, pencils misspell words, and forks make people fat! It’s past time to fix this issue instead of forcing gun control of law-abiding citizens in an effort to disarm America! Criminals by their nature don't obey laws!

– Steve S.

49. Hire someone to monitor the social media of the students and look for red flags. Have an armed guard in every school (vets are best).

– Eric W.

50. Make sure trade policies and regulations make sure Americans have stable and secure jobs and careers. NAFTA and made in China have left people desperate, insecure and angry. Universal basic income would allow for prosperous lives and there would be little crime. Of course there would always be a few anti-social people prone to crime and those with mental health problems but there could be a strong police force and access to mental health services.

– David O.

 

 

Key Takeaways

There you have it: Five suggestions for dealing with this worsening crisis: 

1. Implement background checks and evaluate the mental health of any prospective gun buyer.
2. Allocate more funds to improving school safety measures.
3. Enforce stricter regulations on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
4. Promote safe storage and gun education.
5. Improve community engagement and mental health programs.

Whatever happens, it needs to happen soon.
What do you think about this increase in shootings, especially school shootings? Let us know in the comments below!

 

𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘶𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦.