The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
The rising death toll in U.S. schools
Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 12, 2012 Death toll: 26 What we wrote: “How did this mass murder happen? The answer is the same as every other time. A profoundly disturbed individual got his hands on powerful killing machines — something that is so easy to do in our country — and he turned them on the innocent, in this case, the most innocent. The shock still vibrates, but the discussion on steps we need to take to tighten control on guns needs to start in earnest.” Editorial, Dec. 15, 2012
Santa Monica College (California) June 7, 2013
Death toll: Five
What we wrote: “In the days following Sandy Hook, many promises and predictions were made regarding what was believed to be certain passage of common-sense federal gun laws. After all, if the tragedy in Newtown did not tip the scales in favor of laws that would protect American citizens, nothing would. Well, it turned out that most Republicans in the U.S. Senate were either so fearful of reprisals from the National Rifle Association or so intent on blocking any legislation favored by President Barack Obama that not even a watered-down bill on background checks could make it through.” Editorial, June 14, 2013 Marysville Pilchuck High School (Washington)
Oct. 24, 2014
Death toll: Four
What we wrote: “The states may well end up taking the lead on gun safety through universal background checks, which polls show 90 percent of the American public supports. The Newtown effect in Connecticut led to some of the strictest gun safety legislation in the country in 2013 . ... The Connecticut General Assembly does not have to wait indefinitely for Congress. And should not.” Editorial, Nov. 7, 2014
Umpqua Community College (Oregon)
Oct. 1, 2015
Death toll: Nine
What we wrote: “It is a fine line to walk — supporting a gun-lock program intended to reduce childhood accidents, but objecting to the federal government giving a powerful gun lobbying group $2.4 million to fund it. Though we see value in the program, our foot in this fine-line walk comes down on the side of the Newtown Action Alliance that sees dissonance in taxpayers’ money going to the well-heeled trade association for the country’s firearms industry.” Editorial, Oct. 1, 2015
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (Florida)
Feb. 14, 2018
Death toll: 17
What we wrote: “Contrary to a popular claim, it’s not too soon to discuss gun safety after a tragedy; it’s too late.” Editorial, Feb. 25, 2018
Santa Fe High School (Texas) May 18, 2018
Death toll: 10
Where it stands: Too many members of Congress continue to debate commonsense gun legislation considering the weight of cash from gun lobbyists in one hand and lives in the other. Their inexcusable inertia is leaving those same hands covered with the blood of American children.