‘A Wake-Up Call that Should be Heard’

In the aftermath of the shooting at Richneck Elementary School that critically injured first grade teacher Abby Zwerner, Newport News Education Association President Dr. James Graves has been publicly advocating for changes in the ways guns are handled and are available in our communities. Here’s some of what he’s had to say:

The Newport News community has endured three shootings on our public school grounds in the last 16 months. All of these were perpetrated by minors who accessed deadly weapons. It should not be so easy for children and teens in Virginia to get their hands on firearms. We have kids who are getting guns as young as 6 years old, and we need to do something about it. It’s time for state leaders to come together to help address the disturbing increase in gun violence incidents in Virginia’s schools. We have kids in our Commonwealth that need leaders to just get ahead of this thing. It’s not just a Republican thing or Democratic thing; it’s a national thing. We’re counting on our elected officials to work together to protect our children and grandchildren through common-sense gun legislation.

The Virginia Senate passed six such bills, including one that would require households where children are present to have firearms and ammunition locked in separate containers. The Richneck shooter brought his mother’s loaded gun to school. A law requiring that gun and ammunition be locked separately away could have thwarted his efforts.

It’s just basic knowledge, information to save lives. Since [the Richneck shooting], there has been so much tension among educators, administrators, school boards, and everyone to find solutions. The situation with Miss Abby is a wake-up call. It’s a wake-up call that should be heard.

Metal detectors are fine, clear backpacks are fine, but we have to fix the behavior of our students and enforce consequences and accountability for both students and parents.l