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On Sept. 4, a student opened fire at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, killing four people—two teachers and two students—and injuring nine others. This recent event has led to renewed calls for gun control. 

The said Sen. JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, called school shootings “a fact of life.” After hearing this, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, shared a misleading statement on X, claiming that “Donald Trump and JD Vance think school shootings are a ‘fact of life’ and ‘we have to get over it.’” 

After viewing the of Vance’s speech, I believe that his perspective is not “.” He makes a couple of claims, including that states with stricter gun restrictions have just as many (if not more) school shootings than the states without. He expresses that there needs to be more security in schools and says, “If you are a psycho and you want to make headlines, you realize our schools are soft targets.”

The Associated Press corrected an initial headline—which read “JD Vance says school shootings are a ‘fact of life,’ calls for better security”—to “JD Vance says he laments that school shootings are a ‘fact of life,’”  on X that the post was updated “to add context to the partial quote from Vance.”

There are many perspectives and opinions on gun policy in America and how that policy or lack of policy is the cause of the increase in school shootings over the past decade. Statistically, school shootings have increased drastically. According to , school shootings jumped 124% between the 2020–21 and 2021–22 school years. How can we combat this?

I would like to draw attention to an important cause: the mental health crisis that plagues Americans today. If you analyze the history of the students who shoot children, you will see broken backgrounds in which many were raised. , this recent shooter in Georgia was brought up in an unstable home, with his mother having drug-related arrests and neighbors stating his childhood was “plagued by neglect and turmoil.” This is not an excuse; this is an acknowledgment that there are root causes, one of which can be mental health. The root cause is not the weapon; it is the mental illness of the person behind the weapon. 

Some have realized this, and in light of the 1999 Columbine shooting, various organizations have emerged to support students in need. One of the most impactful of these is , an initiative inspired by the life and legacy of Rachel Scott, a victim of the tragedy. Rachel’s Challenge addresses the root cause of violence in school systems through student wellness programs that reach students emotionally and socially. There are other branches of Rachel’s Challenge such as Rachel’s Closet, which aids students who are in demand of basic needs (clothing, food, etc.). 

This type of action addresses student needs by prioritizing a community-focused approach. As a result, the organization has observed a reduction in the likelihood of students causing harm to the school. This is reiterated by claims from , which states, “when a student is connected, they are less likely to hurt themselves or others.” An article from the reinforces this, showing that students who feel more connected engage in fewer risky behaviors.

Furthermore, the emphasizes, “...for those persons at risk for violence due to mental illness, suicidal thoughts, or feelings of desperation, mental health treatment can often prevent gun violence.” The association advocates for policies and programs that prioritize identifying and providing treatment for all individuals with mental health challenges, underscoring the need for this to be a national priority. 

Taking care of students by treating them as more than just a box to check on the attendance list prevents more than mass school shootings—it can result in the development of a heartfelt community that engages the youth and inspires them to desire an education and to be more. But first, they must be taken care of, and above all, feel safe.