There has been a steady increase of mass shootings since 2018, the number of mass shootings that year was 329, In 2019, there were 410, in 2020, that number ended with 605. Since then, there have been 686 in 2021, and 636 in 2022, and just in 2023 alone, there have been 636. A shooting is considered a mass shooting when four or more are injured, or killed. This means that in 2022, 2,544 people were victims of a mass shooting, this is not including incidents where less than four people were hurt or killed.

Now this does include all ages, but what about kids in school? In 2022, there were 314 killed and 681 injured for children aged (0-11). There were then 1,373 killed, and 3,805 injured for teenagers aged (12-17). Since the tragedy at Columbine, there have been 386 school shootings. With all of these tragedies happening, do kids feel safe in school?

The people listed down below were asked “Do you feel safe in school, if no, what is causing that and is there anything that can be done to fix it?

Quin from Viewmont says, “I feel pretty safe at school! I don’t think I’ve ever been outwardly bullied at school in Davis County to my knowledge. However – I do frequently keep myself from putting pride or human rights memorabilia on my car for fear of it being damaged. I also don’t like to keep my parking pass in my window outside of school. Makes me feel like a target. Other than that I feel pretty confident coming into the school.

Luck from Viewmont says, “1. No, this state is largely anti gun control and Utah has some of the worst mental illness issues in the country, if not THE worst, 2. (on how to fix it) More limits on who can buy guns and more education on mental illness and health.

How has Davis School District tried to help with this problem? Davis School District has adopted the “I Love U Guys” Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff also practice these protocols as well. These are protocols that practice what to do in the event of a school shooting. 

Davis School District’s Emergency Preparation page states Davis School District works in close collaboration with local, state and federal safety and emergency response personnel to develop and maintain plans for coping with a variety of emergency response situations. These plans involve efforts to protect all students while they are at school.

The majority of Davis School Districts high schools and junior highs now have secure entry points, and now have over 5,000 surveillance cameras, and a camera on the majority of their buses. These new implementations do seem to be successful, According to GVPedia 0 school shootings have happened since 2013 in Utah. This is a good sign for Utah, and the safety of students in Utah as a whole. 

Adrian, a student at Viewmont represents many students’ mindsets well when he said, “I do feel safe at school but the reality of a school shooting is very real.”