Returning to school amid the threat of gun violence 

Fall means going back to school for most students in our country. The recent shooting at Apalachee high school in Georgia highlights the stark reality of how the gun violence epidemic are impacting schools, youth, families, and communities across the country.  Since 1999, there have been 413 school shootings, impacting more than 378,000 students who have experienced gun violence at school. This concerning trend is continuing to grow with 2022 marking the highest number of school shootings in any year since 1999.  

Students are also impacted by gun violence from shootings that occur near school. Every day, an average of 57 shootings occurs near a school in the United States. Last year, more than six million students attended a school that had at least one shooting near the vicinity. Research shows that early childhood exposure to gun violence can have permanent effects on future psychological and academic development.  

For more information, please check out the Trace’s data analysis of shootings near schools.