In the wake of a devastating school shooting in Georgia, US President Joe Biden has signed a new executive order aimed at curbing gun violence. The order comes in response to the tragic incident at Apalachee High School, where a 14-year-old student opened fire, killing two students and two teachers and injuring nine others.
This is the first gun-related event that Biden has attended alongside Vice President Kamala Harris since appointing her to lead the office on gun violence prevention, which was established a year ago. At the signing ceremony, Harris emphasized the urgency of addressing gun violence, stating, “I believe the right to be safe is a civil right. We’re experiencing an epidemic of gun violence.”
The new order will task Biden’s staff with assessing the potential psychological impact of active shooter drills on students and teachers, exploring whether these drills contribute to trauma. Additionally, the order establishes a new task force to investigate the dangers posed by machine-gun conversion devices. These devices allow semi-automatic pistols to be converted into fully automatic weapons, increasing their lethality. The task force will also examine the growing accessibility of 3D-printed guns, which can be easily manufactured using internet codes but are difficult to trace due to the lack of serial numbers. The task force is expected to submit its findings within 90 days.
The Georgia school shooting has had a ripple effect, sparking a surge of threats across the country. Over 700 students, including a fourth grader, have been arrested for making violent threats against schools in 45 states. The New York Times reports that the number of threatening messages and posts this year is unprecedented. In Arizona, for instance, schools received a staggering 156% increase in threats during a single week in September compared to the same period last year.
The widespread nature of these threats highlights the deep anxiety and fear that permeate American schools following recent gun violence tragedies. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in addressing gun violence and ensuring the safety of students and educators in the United States.
