To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Protecting Students: School and Gun Safety
1. Ban large capacity ammunition magazines and military/assault weapons.
2. Require robust universal background checks for all gun purchases.
3. Do not require teachers or administrators to be armed.
2. Require robust universal background checks for all gun purchases.
3. Do not require teachers or administrators to be armed.
Why is this important?
This is an educator’s petition to protect our students.
As teachers, we have the responsibility to protect our students which starts with classroom safety. We witness first-hand how gun violence has affected our students. Each year in America, 30,000 people are killed by guns (Nicholas Kristof). Many students have lost loved ones, and many teachers have lost students due to gun violence. In some communities in America, it is far easier to obtain a gun than access a public library. More guns are not the answer.
The high capacity magazines make any gun a military grade weapon, enabling the slaughtering of young as happened at Sandy Hook, Columbine, Northern Illinois University, Virginia Tech., Aurora, CO; Oakland, CA; and Lancaster, PA. There is no reason for individuals to own military style guns and assault weapons. They should be relegated to military use only. Guns that can kill 10 children in 30 seconds have no place in society.
By requiring universal background checks, convicted felons and people with mental illnesses will be prevented from making gun purchases, and the registering of gun sales helps law enforcement trace guns at crime scenes.
It has been proven that more guns create more carnage (Mark Follman). Therefore, teachers and administrators would likely do more harm than good if required to lock and load during a crisis situation. Our role is to inspire, instruct, guide, and nurture and not to kill.
It is important for educators to band together and be part of the dialogue on gun, student, and school safety.
We recognize that these measures will not eliminate all gun violence, but will greatly reduce the ability for mass murders. Teachers, please sign this petition for our students’ sake. Passing strong gun safety legislation will keep more of our students alive. In 2013, your voice will be heard on real gun legislation. Help us create a safer America for our students.
Sincerely,
Olivia Bigsby
Elementary School Teacher
Sources:
Nicolas Kristof
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/opinion/sunday/kristof-do-we-have-the-courage-to-stop-this.html?_r=2&
Marc Follman
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/mass-shootings-investigation
“After Bullets Hit bystanders, Protocol Questions”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/nyregion/bystanders-shooting-wounds-caused-by-the-police.html?_r=0
“Mass Shootings in America,”
http://www.nycrimecommission.org/initiative1-shootings.php
As teachers, we have the responsibility to protect our students which starts with classroom safety. We witness first-hand how gun violence has affected our students. Each year in America, 30,000 people are killed by guns (Nicholas Kristof). Many students have lost loved ones, and many teachers have lost students due to gun violence. In some communities in America, it is far easier to obtain a gun than access a public library. More guns are not the answer.
The high capacity magazines make any gun a military grade weapon, enabling the slaughtering of young as happened at Sandy Hook, Columbine, Northern Illinois University, Virginia Tech., Aurora, CO; Oakland, CA; and Lancaster, PA. There is no reason for individuals to own military style guns and assault weapons. They should be relegated to military use only. Guns that can kill 10 children in 30 seconds have no place in society.
By requiring universal background checks, convicted felons and people with mental illnesses will be prevented from making gun purchases, and the registering of gun sales helps law enforcement trace guns at crime scenes.
It has been proven that more guns create more carnage (Mark Follman). Therefore, teachers and administrators would likely do more harm than good if required to lock and load during a crisis situation. Our role is to inspire, instruct, guide, and nurture and not to kill.
It is important for educators to band together and be part of the dialogue on gun, student, and school safety.
We recognize that these measures will not eliminate all gun violence, but will greatly reduce the ability for mass murders. Teachers, please sign this petition for our students’ sake. Passing strong gun safety legislation will keep more of our students alive. In 2013, your voice will be heard on real gun legislation. Help us create a safer America for our students.
Sincerely,
Olivia Bigsby
Elementary School Teacher
Sources:
Nicolas Kristof
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/opinion/sunday/kristof-do-we-have-the-courage-to-stop-this.html?_r=2&
Marc Follman
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/mass-shootings-investigation
“After Bullets Hit bystanders, Protocol Questions”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/nyregion/bystanders-shooting-wounds-caused-by-the-police.html?_r=0
“Mass Shootings in America,”
http://www.nycrimecommission.org/initiative1-shootings.php