Here's How to Help After the Nashville School Shooting at The Covenant School
On March 27, an armed woman entered The Covenant School, a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee that caters to students from pre-school through sixth grade. Before the 28-year-old assailant was shot and killed by the police, she murdered three students and three adults, according to NBC News. The names of the victims have not been released at the time of this writing.
The New York Times reported, "As of mid-March, the Gun Violence Archive has counted 129 mass shootings in the United States this year."
If you want to help after this senseless tragedy but are not sure how here's a list of different ways you can make a difference.
Donate to The Covenant School
On the private school's website, there is a section for "giving opportunities," and you're able to make donations via credit card, check, corporate matching, and more.
Register to vote
This is the simplest (and free) way to help enact change in our society. Presidential elections are not the only ones that matter in this country. There are also state and local elections that directly affect where you live specifically in the United States. Do some research on the candidates running for office in your hometown and state and vote for the people you think will be the best allies for making your home a safer place to live, such as checking to see if they support stricter gun control laws.
If you're unsure if you're registered to vote, Vote.org is a great tool to answer that question instantly. You can also check out Rock the Vote, a nonpartisan nonprofit that empowers people, especially first-time voters, to make their voices heard and bring about positive change in their society. Rock the Vote allows you to register to vote, check your registration status, get election reminders so you don't miss any important opportunities, and become a volunteer.
Donate to important causes supporting gun control
Several great organizations could use your financial help to continue the fight for enacting stricter gun control laws. Here are three:
According to their website, "The Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund is the education, research, and litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. We build awareness about the complexities of gun violence in America so that every person — policymakers, volunteers, cultural influencers, business leaders, and more — can learn about the issues and become part of the solutions."
Created by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February 2018, MFOL puts young people at the front of this campaign, writing on their website, "We aim to create safe and healthy communities and livelihoods where gun violence is obsolete."
In the early '90s, the Brady Bill was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton. "Brady Background Checks would now be required on all handgun purchases from federally licensed firearm dealers. Since its enactment in 1994, the Brady Background Check System has blocked approximately 4 million prohibited purchasers from obtaining a firearm," according to the organization's website.
Call your representatives
We know you've heard this a million times, but it's actually super important and won't take long to do. You can take different routes to find out 1.) who your representative is and 2.) how to contact them. We recommend checking out 5calls.org or searching for your rep on the official United States House of Representatives website.
Tell your reps what you want, such as stricter gun control laws, more vigorous background checks, etc. Let them know what matters most to YOU and what you think will make society a safer and more enjoyable place for young people to live in and thrive.
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