‘Red flag’ legislation could stem school shootings

CRenee Middleton

olleges of education are preparing the next generation of teachers. This next generation of teachers and students should not have to face what this generation is facing. But what’s being done to ensure their future safety?

In the wake of school shootings in Florida and Texas, Gov. John Kasich has urged Ohio legislators to pass the state’s first “red flag” law, House Bill 585 and Senate Bill 288. These bills would allow family members or law enforcement to seize guns from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others. These individuals would then be subject to a court hearing within two weeks.

I commend Kasich and other state legislators for being proactive and for attempting to decrease the odds that an Ohio school becomes the next Columbine or Parkland or Santa Fe. In fact, I have a simple question for legislators who oppose Kasich on this issue: What are you waiting for?

Some legislators oppose red-flag legislation because they fear political consequences. They say they do not want to infringe on due process or Second Amendment rights. They say there has been no public outcry for this legislation, so why pass it?

These legislators, clearly, have not been paying attention.

Students participated in the National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools on April 20. This demonstration — a response to the February massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida — marked the 19th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School, which left 15 people dead.

Demonstrations are likely to continue. Following the May 18 shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas, students are organizing a National Die-In Day on Tuesday, which marks the second anniversary of the nightclub shooting in Orlando.

Organizers intend to protest in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., and, potentially, state capitols and town halls across the country.

Are legislators not aware of these demonstrations? Do they not view them as public outcry or a demand for change? What are our Ohio legislators waiting for? Should we, as citizens, interpret their inaction as a sign that they do not care about the lives of students in Ohio and beyond? Of course not. I know they care. We all know that the red-flag law is not the only answer, but it is a step in the right direction.

Certainly, there is more we can do in the area of school counseling and mental health, bullying, and other relevant issues. But let’s start with supporting the governor’s red-flag law.

Ohio schools have not been immune to gun violence. Horrific events have occurred on campuses throughout the state. Are legislators refusing to act until a more-high-profile shooting wreaks havoc on one of our communities? “It’s been happening everywhere,” one Santa Fe High School student said of mass shootings. “I always kind of felt like eventually it was going to happen here, too.”

Do our legislators not have the same mindset? Do they not have the same sense of urgency that many of our students do? What are we waiting for? As a dean of a college of education, I want to ensure that the next generation of teachers enters a profession that ensures their safety.

Passing this law — or any law — would not eliminate school shootings. But it would help save lives and perhaps even prevent the next occurrence.

As a dean who is engaged in preparing the next generation of teachers, I implore our legislators to act. We cannot wait. Let’s encourage them to be proactive, to learn from history and our students, to pass commonsense legislation that will help keep our kids safe in schools.

By the way, arming teachers is not common sense.

Act before it’s too late. Let’s not wait for Ohio to make national headlines in this regard.