My heart breaks for the children, families and communities devastated by this latest tragedy. Three deadly school shootings in four months is not an accident — it’s a warning that half-measures won’t protect our kids. We can’t accept “guns are common here” as an excuse. Responsible, enforceable policies — mandatory safe‑storage and child access prevention laws, universal background checks and tighter licensing and accountability for gun owners — would make it harder for a 16‑year‑old to get hold of a firearm. At the same time we must invest in school-based mental health, trained counselors, anti-bullying and threat-assessment programs so warning signs aren’t shrugged off as a “joke.” Schools should be safe places, not fortresses. That means community-led violence prevention, trauma-informed support for survivors, better data collection, and enforcement of existing laws — not more fear or scapegoating. Above all, we need adult responsibility and political courage to act now so this never becomes “normal.” My deepest condolences to the victims and their families; we owe them real, evidence-based change.
