Tech must unite against gun violence

The horrifyingly evil shooting that took the lives of Mason Schermerhorn, Christian Angulo, Richard Aspinwall, and Christina Irimie is a so- bering reminder of the dangers our schools face.

In the coming weeks, as the coverage subsides on this devastating shooting, we must not allow these people to be relegated to another number in a victim statistic. Yes, they were victims, but they were so much more: they were friends and family, unique individuals with dreams and aspirations — each with immeasurable value. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all those afflicted by gun violence. While nothing will ever be able to fill the gaping holes left by the loss of these indi- viduals, what we can do is ensure that no one else should have to endure the same evil.

Apalachee became the 417th school shooting in America since Columbine twenty-five years ago. It’s long past time to work towards stopping these tragedies. One factor that may be fueling these events is mental health. In the wake of the pandem- ic, America is experiencing a youth mental health crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention (CDC), in the last ten years, the number of American teenagers with suicidal thoughts increased by 40 percent. Depression is up, anxiety is up, and with this pent-up emotion has come a higher incidence of tragedy. We have a collective responsibility to work towards improv- ing youth mental health. By reducing unnecessary stressors, enhancing our schools’ ability to address mental health, and increasing the number of men- tal health professionals, we can begin to stem the tide of this growing crisis.

In the broader conversation about our nation’s mental health crisis, it’s crucial to also focus on mental health here at Georgia Tech. The Center for Mental Health Care & Resources offers a range of valuable services designed to support students, including individual and group counseling, self- help tools, online therapy options, and a crisis line at 404-894-2575. While these resources are avail- able, they can only make a difference if they reach those in need. Creating a campus environment that prioritizes mental health is a collective effort — one that promotes not just stress management but a culture of compassion, support, and resil- ience. It’s up to all of us to look out for one another. Don’t hesitate to share these resources with friends who may be struggling, and always remember that seeking help is a sign of strength. You’re never alone in this community.

There is another undeniable factor in school shootings that we must address — they would nev- er occur if the shooter had been unable to access a firearm. In many cases, there are warning signs, and we must begin to act on these signals.

In the case of Apalachee, there were online threats and family members’ dire concerns. It is time for Georgia to pass measures that would ad- dress this very situation. If Georgia had a red flag law, family or law enforcement could petition a

judge to issue an emergency order removing fire- arms from high-risk individuals. If Georgia had a law like this in place law enforcement would have had the tools to do more in the case of the Apalachee shooter. In thirty-four percent of mass shootings in which four or more victims were killed, the shooter exhibited dangerous warning signs. This is exactly what red flag laws are trying to catch. In Indiana, suicide rates declined by 7.5% after implement a red flag law.

Another law that could help to prevent this mass shooting is a safe firearm storage law. These laws set requirements on how firearms must be stored to mitigate the risk of children or unauthor- ized adults from accessing firearms. If law enforce- ment would have had more power to ensure that the Apalachee shooter’s father was properly stor- ing his firearms, ensuring the shooter didn’t have access to these weapons.

In examining the response to Apalachee, one cannot help but be filled with “what if” thoughts surrounding Tech. Until the country addresses the root causes of gun violence, we, the students, the staff, the faculty, must be prepared. Is the campus prepared for such an event? What would we do in that situation? The questions are unnerving yet necessary. We need to be prepared as a campus. Professors should discuss and provide safety in- formation at the beginning of each semester, and students should know what to do in a crisis. It is the collective responsibility of students and staff to ensure that we are all safe. As students, we should utilize the resources available to us, like the LiveS- afe app. Every student should download this app: it provides quick access to contact GTPD, allows students to submit suspicious activity anonymous- ly and shares their location on campus with family and friends. While we need to remain vigilant, we cannot allow fear to corrupt our community. We need to support each other and offer a hand when the goings are tough. Even small acts of kindness can go a long way to fostering a positive and wel- coming environment on campus where students can flourish.

In the coming months, there will be questions and investigations all in the pursuit of justice. While the ultimate goal of justice may be to restore balance — to right what has been wronged — jus- tice will never really occur for Apalachee. We can- not bring back the lives that were taken, nor can we erase the pain felt by their families and friends. We cannot replace the lost laughs or missed celebra- tion, but what we can do is change the future. We can prevent this kind of senseless tragedy from re- peating itself. We can work to build mental health resources, enact common sense gun reform and foster environments where communities support each other and detect potential threats early. We can stand together as a community in common cause and say enough is enough. Tech as a com- munity can come together in common cause and stand up against gun violence.