This I Believe- The Effects of Gun Violence

By Violet Jarosz

“Lockdown. Locks, lights, out of sight.” This I believe in the effects of gun violence. I believe a student shouldn’t have to worry about an active shooter in their school. I believe that it is too easy for people to access weapons. It should be evident that they are safe during the school day, but unfortunately, that is not the case. On Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, my school was involved in a shooting. The day started normally. At the very beginning of our club’s lunch meeting, we heard a loud boom come from downstairs. We thought that someone had just dropped something in the hallway, but then the lockdown started. We were confused; we all thought we were making up the lockdown drill that we were supposed to have the week before. Then people started getting texts saying there was a shooter and people were shot. We didn’t know if any of this was true, but it still scared us- and kids should be free to go to school without being scared about possibly not seeing anyone again. 

It’s just too easy for people to have access weapons. The shooter who was in our school was a 16-year-old junior. My sister said that she had classes with him. He could have been planning this for weeks, months, or years. I don’t think anyone knows how he got his weapon, but it obviously required too little effort, because how does a 16-year-old boy obtain a weapon like that? It makes me worry that if he could get a gun, anyone could. 

I believe that what my school went through had horrible effects on people. I didn’t really feel anything in the moment, but it's the aftermath that counts. The effects of gun violence are real, and they have been forced upon our community.At the end of the day, no one should have to worry like we did.