Michigan: Another Elementary Student Brought a Gun to School. Parents Must do Better

Danbury, CT — Abbey Clements, survivor of the 2012 Sandy Hook School tragedy and co-founder of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, released the following statement after reports that a third grade student in Battle Creek Michigan brought a gun to school this week that discharged in the classroom.

“As a former teacher, I’m thankful that no one was physically harmed, but mindful of the trauma and stress that the staff and students are experiencing after a loaded gun discharged in the middle of the school day. No one should have to go into their workplace fearing gun violence, and no students can be successful when they are not in safe environments. 

“I’m glad to see that prosecutors are considering charges in this case. Responsible gun ownership means parents need to keep their guns stored securely with the ammunition in a separate secure location. While this school community avoided the worst, the Battle Creek School community should double down now and become a true leader on educating their parents on best practices for secure storage of their firearms. Teachers Unify is available to help.”

The news in Michigan this week comes just weeks after charges have been filed against a South Carolina mother when her six-year-old daughter brought a loaded gun onto the school bus.

According to a study by the Secret Service, around two-thirds of school shootings take place because a firearm was not properly secured in the home. A study from the University of Michigan found that 1 in 3 U.S. Homes with a child under the age of 18 have a firearm and 45 percent of those firearms are unlocked. Guns are the leading cause of death for children in America. More than 398,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since Columbine. 

Last year, Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence launched Project Lockdown, a national campaign to educate parents and students about the importance of secure firearm storage. The campaign, located at projectlockdown.org, includes social media fact sheets and striking videos that contrast today’s lockdown gun drill culture at schools and asks parents to lock up their guns and prevent the next school shooting.

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Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence envisions a future where every school in the United States is a safe haven and a safe learning environment for every child, and where all citizens live without the fear and trauma of gun violence. Its co-founders have over 75 years teaching experience combined and two are survivors of our most horrific school shootings – Newtown and Parkland.