Changing the response to mass shootings and preventing tragedies since Newtown
We’ve heard it many times. “If we weren’t able to pass gun reform after Sandy Hook, then nothing will ever change.”
Nothing has changed when it comes to the pain in the hearts of the loved ones of those murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School. And nothing will ever change that can bring back the innocent children and educators killed by gun violence on December 14, 2012. But what has changed since that fateful day in Newtown, is the growing gun violence prevention movement and real progress on reforms.
1. Reforms Across America Since Sandy Hook
Since the days just after the Sandy Hook tragedy, we have been advocating for bipartisan reforms on a national and state-wide level. We have successfully written and driven the passage of three federal laws under three administrations. In an era of divisive politics, our mental health and school safety laws were both passed by a nearly unanimous Congress. In 2021, the bipartisan Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act was signed into law, encouraging states and tribes to implement and expand evidence-based suicide prevention trainings.
In 2022, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was signed into law, providing funding for states to implement Extreme Risk Protection Orders, community-based violence interventions, expansion of the STOP School Violence Act, and mental health for schools. The bill also includes updates or provisions to many key gun violence issues.
Ohio and Louisiana passed the SAVE Students Act, which establishes requirements for life-saving trainings. Legislation has also been introduced in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. 21 states – red and blue – expanded background checks on all gun sales. 19 states and the District of Columbia currently have extreme risk protection order laws to help gun owners and their families in times of crisis1.
2. Students Leading the Way Against Gun Violence
SAVE Promise Clubs are now the largest student-led anti-violence organization in America. Today, more than 153,000 young people have grown this movement to over 4,300 clubs nationwide. In big cities, small towns, and everywhere in between, students are organizing to make their schools and communities safer.
3. Public Opinion Significantly Changed
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a 2013 Pew Research poll2 reported 81% of Americans supported background checks. Today, background checks have near universal support with 92% of people supporting them.3.
4. Gun Safety Reform Movement is Gaining Momentum
Over 9 million people have made the Sandy Hook Promise to do all they can to protect children from gun violence by encouraging and supporting solutions that create safer, healthier homes, schools, and communities. Additionally, more than 1.2 million people have signed our petition demanding congress pass background checks. Thousands more have written and called legislators – and even joined massive rallies and protests to end gun violence.
5. Evidence is Mounting: Prevention Programs Save Lives
In a landmark study, the United States Secret Service reported that since 2008, every school shooting that has been prevented was due to community members “coming forward when they observed behaviors that elicited concern.” In fact, more than 21 million students and educators have participated in our Know the Signs programs.
At least 518 lives have been saved through these programs. In fact, we have helped prevent more than 191 acts of violence with a weapon, including 15 planned school shootings. What’s more, our crisis counselors have prevented untold tragedies by helping at-risk youth with over 185,000 tips to our hotline through our Say Something Anonymous Reporting System.
What You Can Do to Fight Gun Violence After Sandy Hook
While the days can seem dark, with all of you by our side we will continue to move forward. Together we can pass more commonsense gun reforms to protect our kids. Together we can drive out social isolation and end school shootings. And together we can keep our promise to make our community and our nation a safer, better place. You can be a part of that vision.
With bipartisan support, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a key gun reform – background checks on all gun sales. You can help get this bill across the finish line. Join us in calling on the Senate to take action.
