Safe Storage and Age Restrictions: Key Strategies in the Fight Against Gun Violence

Earlier this month, Georgia experienced its deadliest school shooting in history when a 14-year-old gunman opened fire at Apalachee High School in Winder. Two students and two teachers were killed, nine others were injured, sending shockwaves through the community.

In another troubling incident, former President Donald Trump faced an apparent assassination attempt at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, just nine weeks after surviving a previous threat. The chilling frequency of gun-related violence in the U.S. has reignited discussions around gun policy, a contentious topic for decades.

Since 2014, gun-related deaths and mass shootings have risen almost every year, as tracked by the Gun Violence Archive. Despite feelings of despair among many Americans regarding this epidemic, a recent report from Rand, a nonpartisan research organization, offers a glimmer of hope. It asserts that certain laws could significantly reduce gun-related incidents.

Published in July, the Rand report found that minimum age requirements for firearms purchases can help lower youth suicides. Additionally, restrictions on children’s access to stored firearms may reduce unintentional shootings and homicides among minors. This marks the fourth release of “The Science of Gun Policy” since 2018, with earlier reports analyzing other regulations like background checks and concealed carry laws.

A separate study from Rand also published in July, focused on the cumulative effects of various state-level gun laws. The analysis revealed that states with stricter gun policies reported a 20% lower firearm mortality rate compared to states with more permissive regulations. Lead author Terry Schell emphasizes that layering policies could significantly impact gun violence rates.

“We should try to be looking at policies jointly,” Schell stated. “Individually, each one may have a small effect, but layering them may yield substantial improvements.” Such findings suggest a need for comprehensive policy approaches rather than isolated measures in reducing gun violence.

The Georgia school shooting represented the 30th mass killing in the U.S. in 2023, with a staggering death toll of at least 131 victims, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University. Expert opinions indicate that mass shootings close to election cycles often sway public perception regarding gun laws, yet bipartisan discourse remains entrenched in political rhetoric.

This year, over a dozen states have introduced new gun laws, including those related to gun storage, gun-free zones, and permitless carry. In response to the recent tragedy at Apalachee High School, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Georgia have proposed varying solutions to address gun violence.

Georgia’s House Speaker, Republican Jon Burns, has stated that new policies will be considered in the upcoming legislative session. These are aimed at enhancing mental health services, assessing technologies for gun detection, and promoting safe gun storage. However, these measures do not align with Democratic calls for universal background checks and red flag laws that could limit access for at-risk individuals.

Previously, the Georgia House approved a bill offering a state income tax credit for gun safety devices but did not progress past the Senate. Other enacted laws included exemptions from state sales tax on gun safes and a ban on firearm purchase tracking.

Pushback against stricter gun regulations remains prominent, particularly from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which argues that universal background checks would be ineffective. The group opposes mandatory storage laws, citing Second Amendment concerns, and emphasizes the importance of enforcing existing laws along with addressing mental health as a key factor in gun violence.

“We believe many high-profile incidents stem from mental health issues,” said Lawrence Keane, the organization’s senior vice president. “We need to hold people accountable for criminal actions.” Yet, the challenge remains in effectively aligning mental health policy with practical solutions, as noted by experts in the field.

Despite ongoing conflicts in gun policy discussions, it is clear that the frequency and severity of gun violence in the U.S. require diligent examination of current laws and practices. A multifaceted approach involving mental health resources and stricter regulations may be necessary to tackle this complex issue.