Keep working on that, but in the meantime, lets be realistic.  The type of gun control that is being called for by most people on this board is unlikely to happen anytime in the near future.  Consequently, something else must be done to address the problem right now.  We need a multi-pronged attack on the problem of school shootings.  So other than advocating for gun control, what would you do?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 783 school shootings between 2000 and 2021, including 314 shootings that resulted in a fatality (some of those involved multiple fatalities, so more than 314 children have been killed).  Link:  nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/a01

The same article shows that the number of school shootings rose from 13 in 2001-02 to 56 in 2006-07.  Then it dropped to 14 in 2007-08, 11 in 2009-2010, 17 in 2010-2011, and 14 the next year.  2008-09 is an outlier, with 41 shootings.  

Since 2015-2016, the number of shootings has increased every year, at an alarming rate.  That year there were 27 shootings, followed by 38, 59, 78, 77, and 93 in 2020-21.  

Per Education Week, in 2022 there were 51 school shootings with injuries or deaths, including 140 fatalities (they don't show the total number of shootings, which is likely more than 100, including shootings that did not result in an injury or death).

Link:  www.edweek.org/leadership/school-shootings-this-year-how-man y-and-where/2022/01

The numbers show we are headed in the wrong direction very quickly.  This is a national crisis.

Having said that, as cold as it sounds, lets put the numbers in perspective.  There are 130,029 elementary and secondary schools in the U.S.; 97,568 public schools, and 32,461 private schools.  Link: www.prosperityforamerica.org/how-many-schools-in-the-us/

Statistically, even if there were 200 school shootings per year, the likelihood of your child being shot at school is extremely small.  We need to do something about this, but it doesn't make sense to live your life in fear of your child being killed at school. School shootings are a relatively small (but extremely important) facet of a much larger problem.  Children are much more likely to encounter gun violence at home, on their way to and from school, and in other places.  

According to the CDC, in 2020 gun violence overtook automobile accidents as the leading cause of death for young people in America. More than 4300 young Americans (defined as under 19 years old) died from firearm related injuries. Link: bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61192975

Overall, 45,222 Americans were killed by guns that year.

Link:  publichealth.jhu.edu/2022/new-report-highlights-us-2020-gun- related-deaths-highest-number-ever-recorded-by-cdc-gun-homic ides-increase-by-more-than-one-third

However, according to Education Week, only three people (2 children and one adult) were killed in school shootings.

Link:  www.edweek.org/leadership/school-shootings-this-year-how-man y-and-where/2020/01

Playing devil's advocate- the CDC estimates there are more than 390 million guns owned in the U.S.

Link:www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61192975

45,000 deaths is a small number compared to the number of guns owned, which bolsters the argument that the overwhelming majority of gun owners are responsible.  That is one reason why passing gun control legislation will be difficult.

Personally, I favor some additional gun control, but given how difficult it will be to achieve, it shouldn't be the only solution we turn to.

But statistically, that number represents 1 in 8,667 guns causing a death.  The number of gun owners who use their guns to kill another person is extremely small in comparison to the number of responsible gun owners.

Because of that, it will always be difficult to pass laws that require people to give up their guns.  

I'm not saying that's right.  I'm just saying that's the way it is.

And that is meaningful how? The US has more guns than people. Of course a small percentage of guns are going to be involved in gun violence. The issue is that the large numbers of guns creates easy access to guns being used in gun violence. 

The US has double the number of guns per capita than the next closest country while being the third largest country in terms of population in the world. Think about that combination. 

Three in ten US adults own a gun, while four in 10 US adults live in a household with a gun. In a country that has more guns than people. 

It gives statistical weight to the argument that the number of guns isn't the problem; rather, it is that a statistically small group of people who shouldn't have access to guns are able to gain access.

Consequently, for a huge percentage of the electorate, any efforts towards gun control will always be focused on restricting that group of people, rather than restricting guns.  

That equates to a huge amount of resistance to any limitation on gun ownership.  Understanding that is the case, we shouldn't rely ONLY on statutes that limit access to guns to reduce gun violence and protect schools.