On Thursday, as lawmakers in Georgia deliberated on a bill to encourage secure weapons storage, a contingent of elementary school children marched into the state capitol with placards, one week after a school massacre northeast of Atlanta left four dead and nine wounded.
A small group of parents and instructors from a private school in Atlanta joined around twenty youngsters, ranging in age from five to twelve, during a state Senate committee meeting to call for legislation to address the issue of gun violence.
“This is our future generation,” 11-year-old Autumn Humphries declared to the assembled Senate Democrats and Republicans, speaking from a distance. We are the generation that will follow. It’s as if you’re not concerned about it.
Committee Chairman Emanuel Jones, a Democrat from Decatur, led the students in a cry as they marched out: “No more violence!” Cut down on gun deaths!
It is reported that the semiautomatic assault rifle used in the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, was given to 14-year-old Colt Gray by his father. Rifles and other long firearms cannot be purchased by anybody under the age of 18 from a licensed firearm dealer according to federal law. In addition to the four murder allegations against Gray, his father is also facing charges in this matter.
Jones has stated his desire for the group to devise improved school safety measures, mental health initiatives, and public education campaigns centered around gun safety in order to forestall children’s access to firearms, in addition to providing incentives for secure firearm storage.
For both deliberate and accidental shootings, “we have to have processes and procedures in place,” Jones emphasized.
Apalachee High School has two pupils among its casualties. Committee members were informed by Dr. Kiesha Fraser Doh, a pediatric emergency physician who represents Georgia Clinicians for Gun Safety, that the number of fatalities in Georgia involving firearms rose from 78 in 2018 to 154 in 2022. Doh demanded more stringent policies to stop minors from obtaining firearms.
According to Jones, there are penalties for individuals who allow youngsters to get their hands on firearms in certain jurisdictions, such as Texas, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, and New Jersey. Similar legislation was filed by Democratic state representative Michelle Au in 2023, but it was never voted on. The reintroduction of the law in 2025 is her stated intention.
Many of Jorryn Butler’s pals, who are 18 years old, buy weapons from adults who are legally able to do so, according to Butler. In his words, “It’s not hard” to acquire a firearm. “Starting at you, staring directly at you.”
Jon Burns, a Republican from Newington who serves as Georgia’s House speaker, stated last week that lawmakers will think about how to improve access to mental health services for students, implement measures to ensure that weapons cannot be brought into schools, and promote safe storage of firearms.
Evidence suggests that reducing firearm deaths and injuries among youths should be a top legislative priority this year. Earlier in the year, lawmakers in both houses examined measures to promote safe gun storage. The Georgia Senate recently approved a bill that would remove the sales tax from firearm safety devices sold in the state. The Georgia House of Representatives recently approved a bill that would provide gun owners with a $300 tax credit to spend toward the purchase of weapon safety equipment, such as locks and safes, as well as the cost of firearm safety classes. The other chamber did not approve either measure.
Following the tragedy, Democrats pushed for legislation mandating secure storage, background checks on all individuals, and red flag measures. In agreement with his Democratic colleagues, Macon State Senator David Lucas spoke out at the committee hearing in favor of making it mandatory to undergo background checks or obtain a pistol permit in order to purchase an assault weapon.
Students squished into a Capitol basement room to speak with a handful of Democratic lawmakers before the committee hearing.
“A gun should never be given to a child!” Adolescent Maddie La Rose wept.
The words “No Guns!” were hung around the neck of a young boy. Increase the amount of soccer! Have More Pleasure! No Weapons! Democratic state representative Derrick Jackson noticed the sign.
“Our only wish is that you all enjoy life and mature,” Jackson remarked. “Resolve issues pertaining to children, not firearms.”