Sandy Hook dad: Here’s how to prevent the next mass shooting

Mark Barden thinks the nation can transfer from "tragedy to transformation" -- with the correct steps.
AP Photograph/Seth Wenig

This week our nation witnessed a horrific college taking pictures that claimed the lives of 19 kids and two educators in Uvalde, Texas — a tragedy eerily just like Sandy Hook, the place my candy little Daniel was murdered in his first-grade classroom almost 10 years in the past.

I do know many people are overcome with grief and hopelessness, however I’m right here to inform you that we are able to transfer from tragedy to transformation. We will cease the scourge of mass shootings with a holistic method that mixes (1) group consciousness of warning indicators and how you can successfully intervene; (2) analysis on root causes and efficient prevention methods, and (3) smart gun security coverage.

As with many gunmen of mass shootings, the Uvalde shooter exhibited a number of warning indicators earlier than his assault, but nobody intervened. We have to discover the braveness to talk up after we see indicators that somebody could also be vulnerable to hurting themselves or others — even when it'd really feel uncomfortable to take action. My group, Sandy Hook Promise, teaches tens of millions in colleges nationwide to acknowledge the warning indicators, to behave instantly, and “say one thing” to a trusted grownup to get assist. We have to do the identical work in our communities.

Barden’s son Daniel was murdered in his first-grade classroom almost 10 years in the past.

Daniel was a pupil at Sandy Hook Elementary Faculty in Connecticut.

Rex / Rex USA

We additionally have to enact evidence-based insurance policies which have been confirmed to assist stop mass shootings. Gun violence is a public well being epidemic — not a partisan situation, and calls for good, strategic coverage options. These don’t have to be excessive: we are able to shield the Second Modification and cease mass shootings concurrently by implementing insurance policies like these:

• Excessive Danger Safety Orders: Many states supply households the choice of briefly transferring firearms from family members who could also be in disaster. Insurance policies like this assist stop gun violence and suicide, and since they're about taking motion earlier than a gun is misused, in addition they shield Second Modification rights. It's essential that states which have these put money into guaranteeing communities know when and how you can use this important, life-safety software.
• Expanded Background Checks: Closing the Violent Hate Crimes Loophole (amongst others) in our background checks system would prohibit the sale of firearms to people who've been convicted of threatening others with a lethal weapon or assaulting somebody based mostly on their race, faith, gender, sexual orientation, gender id, or incapacity.
• Protected Storage Insurance policies: Protecting firearms locked individually from ammunition protects younger individuals from each unintentional and intentional gun violence. We have to strengthen secure storage necessities and enhance entry to safe storage choices for households.

We have now to come back collectively, as a rustic, to cease gun violence. Each one in all us has the ability — and the obligation — to assist. From elected officers to peculiar neighbors, we now have the flexibility to make a distinction — and the distinction you make might save lives. Please study the warning indicators and get assist instantly in case you observe them. And please inform your elected officers to enact these smart gun insurance policies now.

Barden says that gun violence is a public well being epidemic — not a partisan situation.

James Keivom

Mark Barden is co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise Motion Fund, and the daddy of Daniel, who was killed within the Sandy Hook Elementary Faculty tragedy on Dec. 14, 2012.