Virtual Vigil for School Safety discusses legislation, prevention

A digital vigil hosted by the Delaware State Schooling Affiliation Thursday night time remembered faculty gun violence victims spanning over 20 years.

DSEA president Stephanie Ingram – a 4th grade instructor – says the elementary faculty taking pictures in Uvalde, Texas final week is a reminder to varsities that lively shooter drills they follow might develop into a actuality.

“No little one ought to be afraid to go to highschool,” Ingram mentioned. “And nobody ought to have to decide on between going dwelling to their households or standing in entrance of bullets, making an attempt to defend their college students.”

Delaware Coalition Towards Gun Violence Government Director Tracy Murphy says the most secure states have three crucial parts – nicely funded and nicely run intervention applications, prevention training programming, and proof based mostly insurance policies confirmed to scale back gun violence.

“Governor Carney and leaders introduced a historic bundle of gun security payments at present, maybe essentially the most historic and trendy state historical past,” Murphy mentioned. “And over the subsequent 4 weeks as these payments are mentioned, they should hear from us.”

Some lawmakers joined to debate actions to stop shootings in Delaware.

State Rep. Valerie Longhurst informed the vigil that Democratic management plans to advance the brand new gun invoice bundle – which incorporates an assault weapon ban and excessive -capacity journal limits – earlier than the tip of the present legislative session.

“What we do know is that the majority of those shootings are with an assault rifle,” Longhurst mentioned. “We’re Robb Elementary faculty as soon as once more and the assault rifle is the rifle that’s doing the harm to our kids. And this invoice, I’m so assured with the Home, the Senate and the Governor behind us that we’ll ban them within the state of Delaware.”

Longhurst provides six of the 9 deadliest mass shootings since 2018 have been dedicated by folks below the age of 21, pointing to a different invoice that might improve the authorized age to purchase a gun.

Legal professional Common Kathy Jennings informed the virgil solely in America is gun violence a public well being disaster, the principle driver of rising crime, and the main explanation for loss of life for kids — including the issue will not be psychological sickness, regulation breakers or video video games, however weapons themselves.

And Sen. Chris Coons informed attendees he’s inspired by the final bipartisan gun security invoice signed by President Joe Biden, and optimistic a pink flag regulation or emergency threat safety order can get handed too.