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Introduction

School shootings in the United States and a few other countries such as Canada and Germany have continued to elicit debates among stakeholders. While there is considerable optimism about the possibility of eliminating institutional violence such as school shootings, the diversity of the assumed causes of school shootings complicates the...

School shootings in the United States and a few other countries such as Canada and Germany have continued to elicit debates among stakeholders. While there is considerable optimism about the possibility of eliminating institutional violence such as school shootings, the diversity of the assumed causes of school shootings complicates the positivity. In response to a series of school shootings in the years the 1990s to 2002, sociologist Catherine Newman presented a unique perspective on the dynamics of social formations associated with school shootings. The publication effectively delivers the connection between social, political, and economic demographics of perpetrators of school shootings and forwards a theoretical approach to the comprehension of various cases of school rampage. Despite the existence of credible literature investigating school shootings and possible solutions to addressing the societal challenge, the probability of school shootings remains a safety concern for public institutions in the United States. The paper presents a reflection on Kathrine Newman’s publication addressing the social perspective of school shootings.

Theoretical Perspective

The comprehension of the historical origins of the causes of school shootings and the associated predisposing factor is instrumental in the development of possible solutions. Accordingly, a school shooting can be described as an assault on an educational institution whereby a student opens fire and shoots fellow students, faculty members, or both within the premises of the institution. The attack may result in the injury or death of one or multiple victims depending on the type of weapon used the speed of response from administrative authority and the reaction of the public. Accordingly, Newman proposed a hypothesized sociological perspective of the causes of school shootings in the United States comprising of a combination of at least five important factors. Primarily the assailants typically are marginalized individuals in the society; the individuals suffer from personal vulnerabilities that amplify the effects of marginalization, the perpetrators have access to single or multiple sources of philosophies that glorify violence, the community, and the schools fail to identify the obvious intentions of the assailant timely, and lastly, the shooters have access to firearms. Despite the variations of school shootings from one incident to another, the predisposing factors have founding relations with the social and political dynamics of the area of jurisdiction. It is hence necessary to examine the social and political balances of the American community in consideration of school shootings in various locations in the country.

Social Dynamics

The prevalence of mass shootings, particularly in public schools, has been associated with imperfections and social deviance. Notably, contemporary American Society is a long-term blend of intercultural norms diversely distributed in major cities and suburban towns. According to Newman (2004), contrary to the previous perception of school shootings occulting within major cities more often than in other towns, the demographics of the shootings reveal a high prevalence of violent insurgency is more likely in suburban areas. The assertion effectively challenges the notion that perpetrators of violence are unlikely to originate from well-structured families and socially balanced societies. It is correct to note that regardless of the location of the school or public facility, society as a whole plays a major unconscious role in the development of social eccentrics who are often the main perpetrators of school shootings. It is, therefore, prudent to establish the connection between the school-based violence that escalates to mass shootings amid the perception of a suitable societal infrastructure as a foundation for the proper growth and development of students.

The supporting social relation structures of the perpetrators vary from one case to another, effectively influencing the level of damage caused in every school-shooting event. There are considerable societal structures that feature in most cases ranging from family formations, institutional stigmatization through bullying, gender-centric societal expectations of young people, and unrestricted access to violent entertainment resources through the internet and video games. However, the interconnectedness of the neighborhood ties among the members of society, and public learning institutions, coupled with the insensitivity of society to security structures in schools creates an unfavorable environment for the growth of unique individuals (Newman, 2004). As a result, the primary structures of recognizing and attending to security threats possessed by the perpetrators go unnoticed in many cases. Therefore, one can undeniably agree to the fact that the balances of social formations increase the vulnerability of mass shootings in suburban regions in the United States.

Political Dynamics

American policies in gun control have always ignited local and international political debates as the cases of gun violence continue to escalate. Accordingly, while the regulated access and use of firearms for adults are constitutionally regulated, a majority of school shootings involve juvenile access and utilization of guns from either parents or close relatives. In that respect, although Newman recognizes the occurrence of school shootings in other countries including Germany and Canada, there is a considerable affirmation of gun availability among Americans results in a high number of cases of gun violence such as school shootings than any other country in the world (Newman, 2004). Unfortunately, the historical political support of the right to own firearms for American citizens prevents institutions of prohibitory laws for civilian ownership and operations of guns. Therefore, security stakeholders are effectively forced to develop alternative regulatory frameworks to guarantee public safety in learning institutions. On the other hand, while gun violence plays a role in escalating the extent of damage caused during shootings, the option to use violence as a way of expression among the youth reveals the extent of the weaknesses in the existing societal structures in the country.

From a different perspective, the resolution to physical assault as the final option of expression among the members of the society reveals existing loopholes in the entire social system. According to Newman (2004), marginalization among peers coupled with low social status as a result of bullying and public ridicule are among the major characteristics of the victims who turn out as perpetrators in the school shooting. Moreover, the shooters are subjected to predisposing factors that increase their vulnerability, including deterioration in mental health, social isolation in the school, and home settings in addition to a considerable degree of personal paranoia. While the hypothesized predisposing factors may not result in a violent reaction by the individuals, access to antagonistic cultural beliefs that glorify armed attacks to prove dominion, manhood, and restore authority, and unrestricted exposure to aggressive digital continents such as violent video games resonate in different cases of school shootings. Interestingly, political stakeholders in the federal and state government agencies regulate the legal provisions of the management of the majority of predisposing factors.

Corrective Measures

It is in the interest of every result and future-oriented government administration to guarantee the safety of the public. Besides, it is the responsibility of security agencies at all levels to ensure the safety of the citizens for continuous political stability and social development to occur. In addition to international criticism of the American policies of weapon control, particularly for civilians, there is increasing popularity of anti-gun activism in the country (Newman, 2004). It is hence correct to recognize the administrative pressure in the development of sustainable solutions to the political and social challenges leading to the escalation of school shootings in the country. Notably, Newman identifies the role of societal problems contributing to the threat of school shootings in American learning institutions. Precisely, the author identifies the connection between violence to the loss of social structures that lead to the development and actualization of mass shootings in schools. Fixing the loopholes in the social and political weaknesses of the American structures effectively reduces the probability of future institutional assaults.

Despite the lack of frequent school shootings in society, the topic remains an issue in society because once in a while students often get injured or die from shootings. The author analyses two columbine shootings from the Westside middle school and the Heath High school. The analysis comes with questions that the author attempts to answer to have reasons why shootings occur in schools. The problem is how respectable families produce rampage killers. The book has main themes that include gun control, legislation, and students. According to the author, the 1990s had a variety of tragedies caused by middle and high school students. The students shot and killed their schoolmates and teachers. Society was shocked, and this probed people to have answers to why such actions occur. Katherine Newman and her researchers discovered rampage shootings behaviors to be a unique act that occurs in school domains. The author shows a 14-year-old boy known as Michael Carneal that had killed three students and injured five. Newman researched various individual pathologies like mental health and depression among teenagers in society. The author identifies social hierarchy, popularity, and self-worth among students as the developing factor that might lead to rampage and social shooting. Shootings represent rampage and rage among students that feel left out in society. Peer pressure among students could be a contributing factor to the theme of rampage among students in society.

Conclusively, the social-political dynamics of the parameters of school shootings demand the incorporation of a collective approach by the stakeholders. It is essential to revisit the legal provisions of the gun control regulations in the country and access to violent entertainment programs and video games among learners in the interest of public safety. Secondly, the administrators of learning institutions should incorporate student welfare-supporting structures, including counseling and sufficient student profiling for administrative purposes. Additionally, there is a need to incorporate modern security infrastructure to identify and mitigate potential public security threats in learning institutions. Importantly, collective social responsibility is paramount in fostering socially upright individuals and addressing the weaknesses in societal structures. 

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Home — Essay Samples — Law, Crime & Punishment — Crime — School Shooting

Essays on School Shooting

Hook examples for school shooting essays, anecdotal hook.

"It was just another ordinary day at school until the unthinkable happened. The echoes of gunshots shattered the peace, leaving us to grapple with the harsh reality of school shootings."

Rhetorical Question Hook

"How many more lives must be shattered by the devastating impact of school shootings before we take meaningful action? The time for reflection and change is now."

Startling Statistic Hook

"In the last decade, there have been over 200 school shootings in the United States alone. These statistics are a chilling reminder of the urgent need to address this crisis."

"'The right to bear arms does not trump the right to live without fear.' These words by former President Barack Obama capture the essence of the gun control debate in the context of school shootings."

Historical Hook

"From Columbine to Sandy Hook and beyond, school shootings have left a trail of sorrow and disbelief. Examining the history of these tragedies sheds light on their recurring patterns."

Narrative Hook

"Walk in the shoes of a survivor—a student who faced the terror of a school shooting and emerged with resilience. Their narrative reveals the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity."

Contrast Hook

"In a society that values education as a fundamental right, how do we reconcile the fear that haunts our schools? Contrasting the ideals of safety and learning challenges us to seek solutions."

Emotional Appeal Hook

"The tears shed by parents, the trauma endured by survivors, and the heartbreak of a nation demand action. Exploring the emotional toll of school shootings underscores the urgency of change."

Shocking Scenario Hook

"Imagine a world where students go to school without fear, where classrooms are places of learning, not targets. This vision should be our shared goal as we confront the reality of school shootings."

Curiosity Hook

"What factors contribute to the occurrence of school shootings? Delving into the complex web of causes and consequences invites us to explore potential solutions."

Gun Control and School Shooting Issue

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Causes and Preventive Measures of School Shootings in The Us

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School Shootings and The Concept of a Vulnerable Population

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Impact of Mass Shooting

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School Shooting - Essay Samples And Topic Ideas For Free

School shootings are tragic events wherein gun violence occurs within an educational institution. Essays on school shootings could explore the sociopolitical, psychological, and cultural factors contributing to these occurrences, as well as the impact on communities and policy discourse surrounding gun control and school safety. Additionally, discussions might cover preventative measures, crisis response, and the long-term psychological and social implications of school shootings. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to School Shooting you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Prevention of School Shootings

Out of the 235 mass shootings that occured in 2018, 23 of them took place at schools. School shootings are becoming more common today than they were before. Many people believe that something must be done to prevent these shootings. People want to know how many times do school shootings need to happen before something is finally done. The U.S has had back to back school shootings in 2018. It doesn't seem like this phenomenon is slowing down any, so […]

School Shootings and Gun Control

Killing people for pleasure or killing people because a person has mental problem should be an issue to look into. Gun control in schools are a dangerous and devastatin. Kids who go through shootings/ anxiety and PTSD. Gun control in schools and why it should not be a law. Gun controls in schools is a big problem and should be addressed by the community and the state. The history behind guns and gun control can be very interesting. Gun control […]

Do Video Games Promote Violence?

The Internet is rife with articles about the potentially harmful consequences of play. Psychologists and parents have been arguing the pros and cons of this topic for decades now namely whether video games encourage violence, social isolation and obesity, or on the other hand, promote cognitive growth, perception, care, memory and decision-making. Questions flood our mind making it near impossible to truly answer that question: Can a video game truly promote a violent glimpse into a future reality? Summarized below […]

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School Shootings as a Serious Social Problem in America

From coast to coast, we are recovering from recent school shootings, leaving devastating impacts on all Americans. Ask yourself, how many more school shootings do we need before we start talking about this as a social problem, and not merely a random collection of isolated incidents? Society has proven that school shootings can happen anywhere, at any time, and can happen to students of all ages, ethnicity, and religions, as well as teachers and administrators. Small, rural villages have had […]

Effects of School Shootings

School shootings has only recently become a national concern. Just in the past few years' school shootings have become almost ""normal"" and many people will agree with that statement. There are people who believe that those who commit the school shootings are actually victims themselves, and have been bullied. Others believe there is no correlation between the students who do the school shootings because they believe they grew up in a supportive family, with no significant family issues. Within this […]

Violence and Video Games

The latest debate that is long standing in country today is the big debate does or is video games harmful to our children. Do they allow our children to become harmful to their selves or others, there have been studies internationally looking at the ages from nine to nineteen from 2010 to 2017, over 17,000 adolescents found playing video games led to increased physical behavior over time. There were 24 studies done from countries including U.S., Canada, Germany and Japan […]

Political Solutions to the Epidemic Crisis of Mass Shootings and School Shootings

Abstract There have been a numerous amount of mass shootings and school shootings over the last few years. This paper identifies three possible solutions to the political problem, stating both the pros of all three solutions and the flaws found within two solutions. First, Congress passing a law requiring people to have mental evaluations before purchasing a gun as studies show more than half of the incidents that have occurred the perpetrators have physiological instability. Second, a Federal law that […]

Will School Shootings Ever End?

Numerous school shootings that have been reported have made parents fear for their child's life. Many students are intimidated and are traumatized from being bullied. Parents go about their lives providing the safety their children need and when something bad happens at their child's school, they question whether they should send their kids to school or not. If schools aren't safe, as some researchers say, then is there any place in the world for anyone to be safe? Much research […]

Examining the Deep Impact of U.S. Gun Violence on American Society

U.S. gun violence has had put a struggle on american living and the quality of it. Its put America into a spiral of fear, a lot of people don't know the extent of how its effecting are lives and the way we live. Schools have built there security, airports and all other large businesses and or public businesses have also done the same. Laws have been getting stricter and stricter but simply some people just dont listen and obey those […]

School Shootings in America

Why Do the Shooters Shoot? In this paper, I will select a crime to examine and analyze sociologically. I will also suggest a remedy for addressing this social problem at either a local or national level using sociological ideas and previous examples of intervention to justify my argument. One of the most disturbing and researched crimes in America is a mass shootings, particularly – school shootings. The endless reasons for these crimes have lawmakers and enforcement officials, throughout the country, […]

School Shooting and the Impact on the Survivor’s Mental Health

Abstract This research paper focuses on the worst school shootings in the United States and their impact. It provides readers with a brief description of each tragedy, background information on the shooter, and the undetected impact on the survivors. I was able to use various news outlets, such as CNN, ABC, Youtube, Nightline, and other reliable sources to gain knowledge on this topic. Due to recent incidents that took place in my community, I could relate to the subject matter […]

Why Gun Violence Increasing

Gun violence has had a drastic increase over the years, leaving the United States desperate for laws to be implemented concerning the well-being and safety of citizens. Terrifying events surrounding gun violence have left researchers with no option but to investigate gun laws and regulations. Only some states require permits in order to purchase a firearm and background checks are required by federal law to anyone purchasing a gun as well. A citizen at the age of 21 is legal […]

School Shootings: what Can we Do?

Why are school shootings so common in the United States? Students shouldn't be scared to go to school and parents shouldn't have to worry when sending their children off to school every day. Are there ways to reduce the number of school shootings for the future? Some researchers believe that there may be warning signs to look out for in assassins that have malignant fantasies before they commit the pending crime (Robertz). Observing these actions and identifying them as warning […]

School Shootings are Devastating

“The national conversation since the February 14 Parkland, Florida, school shooting that left 17 people dead has been dominated by gun control.” (Burger 1) This quote shows how school shootings are devastating because 17 students or teachers died in the Florida shooting. Numerous people have died in school shootings. The first school shooting to ever happen in the US was on July 26, 1764, in Pennsylvania. A school master was killed following nine or ten children that also died, only […]

Is Arming Teachers Really the Best Solution to School Shootings?

School shootings have been happening more and more frequently over the past few months. There's been many debates on why school shootings are happening, how we could stop them or at least reduce the problem, and overall how we can keep students more safe. However, guns are not the solution. Many school shootings happen throughout the school day and most of the time the shooter is someone who either went to the school or still attends. Many people say it […]

School Shootings are Bad

Everyone is concerned about mass shootings. I think everyone in the country can agree that they are horrible, and we all wish they'd never happen again. Unfortunately they will continue to happen and may increase in frequency. There is a large group of Americans who feel like gun control and confiscation is the answer. While I agree that it's important to prevent or minimize the casualties of future shootings, I strongly disagree with the above mentioned method. The constitution guarantees […]

Research on Video Games and Violence

The day and age we live in are getting more violent and aggressive. Since 2013 there have been at least 300 school shootings. As of 2018, there have been at least ten school shootings. As a result, parents and others have blamed the increase of such horrific acts on violent video games. Some of these video games may include the widely known "Call of Duty franchise, "Halo, "Grand Theft Auto, and "Destiny. Though video games may be correlational to violence […]

The Tragedies of High School Shootings

It is heartbreaking and horrifying feeling when we watch young students on TV or in person running out of their schools, fearful for their lives to be taken away. School shootings are terrifying incidents that make us wonder what if we or our loved ones may face these types of situations. People have been calling for an action to address the increasing number of mass school shootings in the United States during the past decades. In one study that was […]

Arming Teachers and School Shooting

Imagine it is one-thirty in the afternoon and you are walking through a busy high school. You are likely imagining hearing the melody of children laughing, lockers closing, and feet shuffling through the hallways. The last thing you are expecting to hear is running, screaming and the ringing of bullets flying through halls. Now stop imagining, as a result of the increase of guns in America this nightmare has become a reality. Students already have enough to worry about, on […]

Eric Harris School Shooting

On April 20,1999, 17-year-old Dylan Klebold and 18-year-old Eric Harris committed a mass shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. At 11:10, “The two then walked into the school cafeteria, where they placed two duffel bags each containing a 20-pound propane bomb set to explode at 11:17 a.m.” (History.com, 2009) These students entered the school around 11:00am and killed 13 people, injured over 20 people, and then ended the massacre by committing suicide. These boys are classified as mass […]

Effect of School Shooting in Florida

School shootings have become more common over the years, in 2018 alone there have been seven school shootings. There have been a total of fifty-seven school shootings in thirty-six different countries between 2000 and 2010 (Chicago Tribune). School shootings have lead to both social and political change. There have been several studies regarding the attendance as well as the performance of the students academically. The Florida school shootings have lead to a change in New York politics and has led […]

Combating Gun Violence

A school shooting is an attack at an educational institution, such as a school or university, involving the use of firearms. The first recorded school shooting in the United States took place in 1840, when a law student shot and killed his professor at the University of Virginia. Despite that crime rates in the United States are declining, and homicide specifically is especially rare, many people believe that school shootings are becoming epidemic, occurring more frequently than the have in […]

Tragedy and the Meaning of School Shootings

""The phenomenon referred to as ""school shootings"" pertains mainly to those shootings where the school is deliberately chosen as the site of violence, the violence is perpetrated by a current or former student, and the targets are chosen symbolically or at random with the intention of causing as many deaths as possible"" (Travers, McDonagh & Elklit, 2018). One of the most recent concerns in education today is school safety protocols to prohibit an intruder. Over the past few decades, school […]

School Shootings have Become a Big Problem after Columbine

Many schools employed security guards, installed metal detectors and cameras, and permitted teachers to be armed. However, doing this did not change most outcomes. The problem is not allowing people to enter, it is a problem within the school. Students do not even feel safe at schools anymore they believe they have to sneak in guns to protect themself, and parents fearing for their children as well. Teachers and parents should become aware of the symptoms (bullied, distanced, negativity, and […]

Today’s Real World Challenge: High School Shooting

  My topic is school shootings. School shootings are when someone invades a school or university and shoots (injures or kills) a student or faculty member of that school. I chose this topic because I feel that this is a real problem in the real world today that needs to stop. Innocent people are dying and being sent to hospitals for problems that they didn’t even start, that they aren’t even involved in. I also know that I would hate […]

Blatant Morals and School Shootings

With bullets flying claiming the lives of innocent students and wounding others in the process, a pool of emotions surfaces. In abundance, the community shouts(demands,questions,) for answers while grieving in pain. Dating back to the first reported school shootings that took place we stumble upon the gruesome discovery of the ""Enoch Brown"" massacre in 1764. ""Four Delaware (Lenape) American Indians entered the schoolhouse near present-day Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and shot and killed schoolmaster Enoch Brown and nine children (reports vary). Only […]

Students Protest and Addresses Gun Violence

A schools' biggest fear is having a shooter come onto campus. There has been so many incidents on the news that people are trying to find solutions for this issue. Students need to feel safe while they are learning. I have found three articles of school shootings that go into detail about what took place on those days. Each author has had an interesting stand-point about what should happen next. In this paper, i will be comparing the authors perspective […]

Rise of School Shootings

School shootings have been on the rise and are more prevalent than ever before. "In less than 18 years, we have already seen more deaths related to school shootings than in the whole 20th century. One alarming trend is that the overwhelming majority of 21st-century shooters were adolescents, suggesting that it is now easier for them to access guns, and that they more frequently suffer from mental health issues or limited conflict resolution skills,". (Katsiyannis et al., 2018) This leaves […]

The Impact of School Shootings

There has been a significant increase in school shootings. This has prompted the debate of whether metal detectors, security guards, and gated entrances should be utilized to enforce school safety. There is a decline in school shootings in certain states. These states have chosen to allow extended measures to increase school safety. Others argue that there is not enough money in the budget to spend on additional safety measures for school security. Should money be put aside for school safety […]

Persuasive Speech on Gun Control to Prevent School Shootings

It's called school, not a shooting range. Students should be focusing on their educations, not living in fear of being harmed in the environment they consider safe. According to CNN, "The US has had 57 times as many school shootings as the other major industrialized nations combined." If this isn't a glaring pointer that our gun laws must be updated and renovated to create a safer country for our successors, then what is? Every day, children go to school wondering […]

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How To Write an Essay About School Shooting

Introduction to the topic of school shootings.

When writing an essay about school shootings, it is crucial to approach the topic with sensitivity and a deep understanding of its complexity. School shootings are a tragic form of violence that have profound impacts on communities, families, and the public at large. In your introduction, it's important to define what constitutes a school shooting, acknowledging the gravity and sensitivity of the issue. Offer a brief overview of the increase in these incidents in recent years, setting the stage for a thoughtful exploration of their causes, impacts, and potential preventive measures. Your introduction should establish the tone for the essay, which should be respectful, informative, and reflective.

Examining the Causes and Motivations

The first major section of your essay should explore the potential causes and motivations behind school shootings. This involves delving into complex factors such as mental health issues, access to firearms, societal influences, and possible warning signs exhibited by perpetrators. It's important to present a balanced view, acknowledging that there is rarely a single cause for such actions and that they are the result of a combination of factors. Utilize relevant research, case studies, and expert analyses to support your discussion. This exploration should provide readers with a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of the problem, moving beyond simplistic explanations.

Impact on Communities and Policy Implications

Next, focus on the impact of school shootings on communities, survivors, and society at large. Discuss the immediate and long-term psychological, emotional, and social consequences these events have on students, teachers, families, and communities. Explore how school shootings influence public policy, particularly in relation to gun control, school safety measures, and mental health resources. Analyze different policy responses and their effectiveness, drawing from examples in various regions or countries. This section should highlight the ripple effect of school shootings, underscoring the importance of comprehensive and informed policy responses.

Concluding with Solutions and Reflections

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points and offering reflections on potential solutions to prevent future school shootings. Discuss the importance of a multi-faceted approach that includes enhancing school security, improving mental health support for students, responsible gun ownership, and community awareness. Reflect on the societal changes necessary to address the root causes of such violence. Your conclusion should encourage readers to think critically about the issue and consider their role in contributing to safer school environments and communities. A well-crafted conclusion will not only bring closure to the essay but also inspire a sense of responsibility and hope for a future where school shootings are a thing of the past.

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Writing about guns on campus and school safety

Academic writing

Essay paper writing

School shootings are a nightmare scenario for parents, students, and teachers. Unfortunately, massacres in American schools take place quite often.

Since the beginning of this year, several cases of armed attacks resulting in injuries and deaths happened in American schools. According to statistics from Washington Post, starting from the massacre at Columbine, more than 150,000 primary and senior students from 170 schools have witnessed murders or became victims of shooting on campus.

All these events explain the relevance of gun violence essays. The idea of possession of firearms by teachers and ordinary citizens has both supporters and opponents. In this article, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the history of this issue and the most common opinions on how to approach it. On their basis, you can draw your own conclusions and write a quality weapons for college safety research paper or essay.

Analysis of tragedy in Parkland for school violence essay

If you are writing a persuasive essay on should guns be allowed on campus, this recent case might be of a special interest for you. The incident in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018, was not similar to many other tragedies of this kind. The criminal was detained alive; he testified, cooperated with the police, and behaved in a way which is rather uncommon for criminals. The fact that the 19-year-old assassin, Nikolas Cruz, repeatedly demonstrated antisocial behavior is unprecedented. The shooter was earlier expelled from this school because of problems with discipline

A fire alarm sounded ten minutes before the end of the lesson. Survivors told that at first, they thought it was a drill. Cruz was in a gas mask and had smoke grenades. When children went out into the corridor, he had the opportunity to shoot them. The shooter was detained about an hour and a half after the start of the incident. Among the 17 victims, 12 people were killed inside the school, three more – outside the building, and two died in the hospital.

Immediately after the arrest, the police began to study Cruz’s social networks and found a lot of disturbing evidence. It became obvious that there were reasons for worrying and suspecting something wrong. For example, Nikolas had published photos with guns and cold steel. In addition, he had openly declared the desire to commit an attack, including one on police officers. Perhaps, the tragedy might have been prevented if some measures were taken.

‘He was always depressed, talked about weapons, and often tried to hide his face,’ recalls one of Nikolas’ friends from the school. Some of his acquaintances remember that Cruz had problems with other students and was worried by the fact that he did not receive any help from the teachers. Teenagers even joked that if someone could ever attack the school, it would be Nikolas.

The mathematics teacher, in whose class the boy studied in 2016, said that Cruz was ‘quiet’ and ‘unproblematic.’ However, last year, he was banned from entering school with a backpack after teenager threatened other students.

Weapons: constitutional right or threat?

After the Parkland tragedy, the discussion about gun control in the US raised again. However, one of Donald Trump’s main campaign slogans was the defense of the second amendment, which is the Americans’ right to possess weapons. President often reproaches Democrats for their attempts to deprive the country’s citizens of this freedom.

Many people were outraged by the fact that Nikolas Cruz was able to legally acquire an AR-15 rifle worth $500, and a stormy social reaction was quite understandable. In Florida and other states, protests were held demanding to tighten control over the circulation of guns to prevent future tragedies.

However, Trump said that the main reasons for the tragedy were the attacker’s ‘mental problems.’ This way, the head of the White House avoided touching upon the topic of gun control.

Gun ownership has always been among burning issues in the US. For Americans, constitutional rights are sacrosanct. The second amendment of the Constitution came into force immediately after the attainment of independence by the US. It guaranteed that the government would not be able to take away weapons from citizens as the British did at the end of colonial rule.

Today, the topic of gun control is inextricably linked to the political, social, and cultural splits in the American society. A rich and influential National Rifle Association impacts the appropriate moods.

After the carnage in Parkland, there were people who argued that the problem was not only in the free access to firearms. In their opinion, if schoolchildren and teachers were prepared for the attack, they could confront the shooter. However, many people consider this point of view unacceptable. What do you think about it? A school violence research paper is a perfect chance to express your opinion.

‘Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.’ – this quote by Sarah Hutto became the slogan of supporters of free possession of firearms in the United States. It makes sense in some way as the widespread use of guns does not necessarily lead to a large number of murders. For example, in Switzerland, there are weapons in 1 out of 4 houses (the highest level in Europe), while there are only 0.7% of the murders for every 100,000 inhabitants (the lowest level in the world).

So the issue is that there is a large number of firearms and a lot of people who are ready to use them in the United States.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that the United States has the largest number of weapons in the world. According to the GunPolicy.org portal, there are 101 guns per 100 Americans. It turns out that the country has more weapons than residents. Serbia is in the second place (58.2 guns per 100 people).

In addition, American mass culture (cinema, television, music, and video games) promotes excessive and ill-considered use of firearms. This might serve as one of the strongest reasons for school violence. However, many people think that this argument is unpersuasive. And what is your opinion? Ponder over it in your essay.

Other crimes examples for a research paper on school shootings

The case described above was included in the list of the bloodiest crimes in the United States over the past few years. However, there were other shocking incidents. You can also use the information about them for a should students be allowed to carry guns on campus essay.

2012: Sandy Hook Elementary School - 20 dead children aged 5-10 years and 6 adults

On December 14, 2012, in the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, who had a mild form of autism, armed himself with a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle, two Glocks, and Sig Sauer pistols and opened fire. As a result, 20 children aged 5-10 years and 6 adults were killed.

Before going to school, he shot his 52-year-old mother, Nancy Lanza, in the head four times. Then, on her car, the shooter went to the elementary school, broke the window with a shot, and got inside. He attacked people at close distance, almost at point-blank. At the time special forces and rescue services arrived, the criminal had committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

2007: Virginia Tech - 33 dead, 29 wounded

Another terrible story happened on April 16, 2007. At the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, a schizophrenic 23-year-old student from South Korea, Seung-Hui Cho, opened fire from pistols in a dormitory and educational building and then committed suicide.

As a result of the shooting, 33 people were killed, and 29 more were injured. Between the murders, the offender sent an open letter and a video manifesto to NBC News in which he compared himself to Jesus Christ.

The police found out that the slaughter at Virginia Tech was preceded by a criminal’s quarrel with a girlfriend. After that, he broke into the German language class in the engineering department, shot a professor in the head, and then started killing students. The massacre in Virginia occurred on the eve of the eighth anniversary of the shooting in Columbine High School.

1999: Columbine High School - 13 dead, 24 wounded

The mass shooting in the Columbine High School in Colorado on April 20, 1999, was one of the biggest tragedies in American educational institutions. Two young men, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, broke into the school with weapons in their hands. In 4.5 hours, terrorists killed 12 students and one teacher, wounded dozens of people, and then committed suicide.

The work on this crime involved 80 investigators who collected 10,000 pieces of physical evidence and interrogated 1,400 witnesses. Both boys were from well-to-do, stable, and decent middle-class families. However, they were ‘outcasts’ at school: did not excel in sports and did not enjoy the respect of classmates. They wore long black raincoats, played “bloody” computer games, listened to cacophonic compositions of metal bands, and were obsessed with the Nazis. By the way, their crime coincided with Hitler’s birthday.

Unfortunately, attacks on schools in the US occur almost every month. Therefore, each should guns be allowed on college campus essay is not an abstract philosophical work intended exclusively for awakening the author’s creative abilities. The serious problem of life and death is touched upon. A list of tragedies written above can be supplemented by the following points:

• On February 1, 2018, a student in one of Los Angeles’ schools used firearms in the classroom. Two teenagers were injured.
• On January 23, 2018, there was a shooting in a high school in Kentucky, which resulted in the death of 2 people, while 19 were injured.
• On January 22, 2018, there was an attack in the school in Ellis County, state of Texas; as a result, one person was injured.
• On December 7, 2017, there was a tragedy in the city of Aztec (the north of New Mexico). 2 people became victims of the shooting. The criminal who opened fire was eliminated.
• On November 14, 2017, an unknown man opened fire on the territory of primary school in Texas. Four people died and four more, including three children, were injured. Later, the number of victims increased to five people as the body of murderer’s wife was found in his house.
• On September 13, 2017, there was a shooting in the Freeman High School in Washington State. The criminal was detained. One person was killed, and four were wounded.
• On April 10, 2017, in an elementary school in San Bernardino County in California, an unidentified man opened fire and then committed suicide. Two people were killed – a teacher and a student, and one more student was injured. It turned out that the shooter was an ex-husband of the killed teacher.
• On May 6, 2016, one person was killed, and one was injured in a shootout in a secondary school in Maryland.
• On February 12, 2016, two girls were killed as a result of shooting in a school in Glendale, Arizona.
• On October 24, 2014, an incident occurred in the school in Marysville, Washington. Armed with a pistol, 14-year-old Jaylen Fryberg entered the cafeteria and opened fire. As a result of the attack, one person died on the spot, and seven got injuries of varying severity; two of them died in the hospital. The attacker shot himself.
• On January 5, 2011, the shooting was arranged by Robert Butler Jr., the 17-year-old son of the head of the Omaha Police Department in the Millard High School in Omaha, Nebraska. His body was found later in one of the cars next to the school. He committed suicide. As a result of the incident, two people were killed, and one was wounded.
• On December 10, 2007, in the suburbs of Denver in the state of Colorado, an unknown person opened fire in a school for Christian missionaries. Two people were killed, two more were injured. The offender, a 20-year-old man (according to the description of the witnesses), disappeared from the crime scene.

On one hand, all these cases might help you support your statements in an argumentative essay on why guns should be allowed on campus. Many Americans believe that the availability of weapons for school personnel will be a serious obstacle to the massacres. Most of them could be prevented if criminals knew that they would face confrontation.

On the other hand, the abovementioned facts can as well be used in a banning guns on campus argumentative essay. Just as many people believe that arming teachers and professors might lead to more casualties as the behavior and reactions of both the killers and the teachers can be unpredictable.

The main question of school shootings essay: do teachers need firearms?

One of the aspects you can cover in a violence in schools essay is a political one. Donald Trump ordered to strengthen control over the purchase of weapons after the shooting in Florida. According to the President, teachers and school employees should be allowed to have guns. This privilege will be granted to approximately 20% of educators who have passed the appropriate training.

Donald Trump emphasized in his speech that criminals understand that no one can resist them in educational institutions. Employees who know how to use the guns will be able to put an end to the attack very quickly. Also, Trump suggested hiring former military officers who know how to handle weapons for school security. Moreover, at the meeting with teachers and students of schools, the President promised to tighten checks for issuing permission to purchase guns, including mental health testing. If you have a different opinion, you are welcome to list the shortcomings of the abovementioned approach in the school shootings research paper.

Let’s consider at least one shortcoming of such an idea. To ensure that military people or law enforcement officers use weapons in combat correctly, an effective range of activities is carried out: shootings, exercises, etc. Will there be any training of such kind for the armed teachers at schools? If you want to write an analytical should teachers carry guns in school essay with a share of valid criticism, it’s definitely worth paying attention to these details.

In general, there are many questions regarding this issue. Most US citizens hope that the safety of schools will be strengthened in other ways. However, it is quite possible that soon we will see a revised reform plan. Indeed, fundamental work must be carried out by the government to dispel doubts of people.

Carrying guns on campus essay title

The title is perhaps one of the most important parts of the essay. It is better to come up with it at the very end of the work when you have re-read the final text and are ready to formulate a compelling. The readers should become interested once they see the title of your paper.

An honest look at things

Do not write about theories in which you do not believe. Do not focus on facts if you are not sure they are precise. Discuss what is really interesting and true. When the argumentative essay on guns on campus is written with a sincere interest in the topic, reading his or her ideas is extremely pleasant.

Truth is the only thing that is valued at all times. When a person reads an essay, they want to answer some questions to themselves and see the real picture and order of things. And of course, they are interested in what others have already learned. You are welcome to share your experience and use reliable information, but not to mislead readers.

It is claimed that everything has already been written before us, so it is impossible to create something new. Still, you have to write a do we really need more guns on campus essay and introduce some new information. Does it mean that you are at a dead end? By no means! As an old proverb goes, “Many men, many minds.” Just provide your own sincere opinion on the matter as well as some solutions to the problem which you consider the most effective.

Now you know how to create are guns allowed on college campus essay. Finally, here is the last tip. Do you want to write an academic paper but do not know how to start? Use your favorite quotation, proverb, or saying as a hook phrase.

In time, writing will become much easier, as you will be more experienced. Just keep up and reach your goal. Good luck

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Police identify teen as suspect in shooting that killed 11-year-old boy in St Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla — Police have identified a suspect after an 11-year-old boy was shot and killed in St. Petersburg Thursday night.

The St. Petersburg Police Department said officers responded to a home on 11th Avenue South around 9:42 p.m. after receiving reports about the shooting.

When they arrived, officers found Veondre Hargrove, who had already passed away inside the home.

Police said that they are looking for a 14-year-old boy in relation to the incident. Hargrove and the boy were visiting a friend when an argument ensued, which led to Hargrove being shot.

One neighbor said he sees these shootings happen way too often.

"I am saddened because its a kid and I see the kids playing in the park, I see them going around and the next thing you know they are on the news for a very bad reason," said neighbor, Steven Giraldo.

St. Pete Police are working to promote their youth care program, which helps get kids and teens involved in beneficial activities

Anyone with information can call St. Pete Police at 727-893-7780. There are no other details available at this time.

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St. Petersburg Shooting: Suspect Hydra Lacy, Brother of Boxer Jeff Lacy, Had Long Criminal Record

By Edecio Martinez

January 25, 2011 / 11:35 AM EST / CBS News

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (CBS/WTSP) Armed and hiding in the attic, Hydra Lacy, Jr., the brother of Jeff Lacy, a former International Boxing Federation super middleweight champion, was a desperate man. According to police, he'd already spent time in prison and he told relatives he wasn't about to go back.

PICTURES: Fallen Heroes

But police in St. Petersburg were hot on his trail, and his return to prison seemed imminent, so Hydra Lacy, Jr. allegedly tried to shoot his way out.

Hydra Lacy, Jr. had a long criminal record, including convictions for sexual battery and false imprisonment of a child, burglary, grand theft auto and resisting an officer with violence. He spent more than a decade in prison.

"He had been to see me," Lacy's stepmother Willie Mae Norton told CBS affiliate WTSP . "He told me, 'I'm not going back to jail no more."

Police in St. Petersburg had been looking for Hydra Lacy, Jr. since November after he skipped out on a trial for a 2009 domestic violence charge. He was accused of beating his wife, Christine Lacy, so severely that she had to be hospitalized, accoriding to WTSP .

It all came to a head Monday when the fugitive task force assigned to find Hydra Lacy, Jr. showed up at Christine Lacy's house with an arrest warrant.

But Hydra Lacy, Jr. was waiting for them, hiding in the attic with a gun.

When it was over, St. Petersburg Police Sgt. Thomas Baitinger and Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz were dead and Hydra Lacy, Jr. lay dead as well. A U.S. marshal whose name was not released, was shot twice but was doing fine, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Tom Figmik said.

Hydra Lacy's brother, Jeff Lacy, is a former champion boxer who has talked about the sport keeping him out of trouble. But it appears when Hydra Lacy turned his fists on Christine, he started down the road to Monday's deadly gunfight, leaving the community and his own family to grieve, WTSP reported.

The shooting comes four days after two Miami-Dade County detectives were killed by a murder suspect they were trying to arrest. That suspect was killed by another detective.

Investigators are now trying to determine whether Lacy was shot by police or may have taken his own life.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER January 24, 2011 - Two St. Petersburg, Florida Officers Shot, Killed; Suspect Dead

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• Breaking News

Boy, 16, shoots, critically injures 15-year-old in St. Petersburg

• Michaela Mulligan Times staff

A 16-year-old boy is in custody after police say he shot and critically injured a 15-year-old boy at a St. Petersburg apartment early Sunday.

The 16-year-old faces charges of attempted murder in the first degree, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. The Tampa Bay Times is not naming the boy because of his age.

The shooting occurred before 4 a.m. Sunday at the Isles of Gateway Apartments at 10600 Fourth St. N. The 15-year-old, whom officers did not name, suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound, police said. The boy was taken to a local hospital where he was in critical condition Sunday.

The two boys were acquaintances, police said.

Detectives found evidence that led to the 16-year-old boy’s arrest.

Police asked anyone with information on the incident to call 727-893-7780 or text SSPD plus your tip to TIP411. No other information was released.

Michaela Mulligan a climate and environment reporter. Reach her at [email protected].

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