Drake students discuss attitudes toward gun violence and safety

Gun violence is one of the leading causes of death for American children, adolescents and college students. According to the National Organization Against Gun Violence. Students demand actionEvery day, about 120 Americans are killed by guns and more than 200 are injured.

Acts of gun violence on school grounds are becoming an increasingly regular problem in America as it has become almost routine to hear about yet another deadly school shooting on the news. According to Drake students, this has created a sense of melancholy normalcy among American students, as the idea of ​​a stereotypical “school shooter” attacking their school does not seem completely out of reach.

“I think the reason we’ve been so passive is because we’ve accepted this as our new normal,” freshman Sadie Jones said.

This sentiment is even more true for students belonging to minority groups, as they are already at greater risk of violence and bigotry in their daily lives.

“A lot of us are scared because we know that if you get stuck in a firefight, we could be the first to get hurt,” said Ty Callison, a Mexican-American transgender freshman student.

In response to the possibility of gun violence on campus, Drake has implemented numerous safety measures, including Drake Public Safety, emergency blue light poles, and the Rave Guardian app.

Public safety officers act as a deterrent to crime by monitoring the campus and preventing anything suspicious from entering the campus. Emergency blue light poles and the Rave Guardian app allow students to contact emergency services directly if they are ever in danger or feel unsafe on campus.

These physical aspects of protection are not the only help for students on campus. There are also support services for students if they need to recover from a gun violence event, such as the Drake Counseling Center.

“We have excellent emergency response plans as well as prevention resources, but the responsibilities and protocols associated with our emergency plans must remain current, ongoing training must be provided, and we must be able to identify gaps in our ability to make Drake even safer. campus,” said Director of Student Services Jerry Parker.

Parker said Drake can do everything it can to protect its students, but the situation is constantly changing and safety is never a guarantee. The best thing everyone can do is to remain vigilant and aware.

“It’s similar to the message we all hear in airport terminals: see something, say something. It’s no different than a college campus or wherever we are these days,” Parker said.

In response, students see something and say something. Due to the persistent gun violence that students face, anti-gun violence organizations have been formed to confront the problem at the highest political level.

One such organization is the previously mentioned Students Demand Action, an organization created by students of the “Mass Shooter Generation” to advocate for tougher gun policies, raise awareness of corruption in the gun industry, and generally fight against these preventable tragedies. For example, they helped pass the Bipartisan Safe Communities Act, which strengthened enforcement of background checks, red flag warnings, gun trafficking, and the dating partner loophole, which ensures that those with prior domestic violence convictions cannot purchase firearms. weapon.

Leading the charge at Drake University is Chloe Geier, a Drake University sophomore and director of the Iowa Student Demand Action advocacy group. She has been fighting gun violence for several years because it has had a direct impact on her life and the lives of those around her.

Geyer’s experience of domestic violence and gun violence has helped shape opinions on the issue, especially as it relates to the abuses and power imbalances that guns can cause. Geyer, who had a hand in influencing the previously mentioned bipartisan Safe Communities Act, sees the harm that guns can cause and believes current laws are outdated and need to be revised by new generations.

Geyer specifically mentioned the Parkland school shooting and how she was inspired by the ability of people her age to take to the streets and be a voice for change.

“I remember that was the first time I saw people my age—students—able to stand up and influence politics,” Geyer said.

Geyer is just one of many examples of students going out into the world to protest legislative passivity, rallying movements in support, and inspiring others to be the change they want to see in the world.

“These tragedies can be prevented if our legislature takes action, and they are not going to take action until we do,” Geyer said. “Legislatures are supposed to represent the people, but that’s not the case right now.”

One of the issues Geier is taking action against is Iowa’s new Amendment 1, the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. She said it was oversimplified, leaving voters silent on how the law affects gun access, gun testing and potential harm. Gun safety advocates like Geyer believe Iowa has lax gun laws compared to other states, especially with regard to concealed carry and permit requirements, making the potential for gun violence ever-present.

“Our voices are so damn powerful,” Geyer said. “The words we speak, the experiences we have are so unique, but so tragic and deadly. If our legislators don’t think of it, we will replace them.”