Poll: Georgia Parents Call for Stricter School Safety Measures Following Deadly Shooting

Within the aftermath of a lethal college capturing at Apalachee Excessive Faculty in Northeast Georgia early this month that left 4 folks useless and 9 others wounded, a brand new ballot reveals widespread assist for elevated psychological well being companies, college security reforms and holding college students and oldsters accountable for threats of violence. Carried out by the Republican-aligned Cygnal polling agency, the survey of 518 Georgia dad and mom of Ok-12 college students sheds gentle on the priorities of households because the state legislature prepares to sort out gun security insurance policies subsequent 12 months.

Key Findings from the Ballot:

71% of oldsters assist growing psychological well being companies in colleges to assist forestall violent incidents. 69% assist implementing extreme penalties for college kids who threaten mass violence. 59% of respondents favor holding dad and mom accountable if their youngsters commit acts of violence with firearms. 65% assist coaching absolutely armed college security officers. 88% imagine that college students who make threats to “shoot up a college” ought to face expulsion, arrest or different penalties. 52% of oldsters again permitting extra native college boards to allow academics to hold firearms, although 34% oppose the concept. 83% agree that oldsters must be notified of threats made by college students, even when the scholar is cleared by regulation enforcement.

Whereas a powerful consensus exists on psychological well being and scholar accountability measures, extra divisive proposals, similar to elevating the minimal age to buy a firearm (42%) and banning assault rifles (36%), garnered much less assist. Moreover, solely 19% supported the GOP-backed thought of ending “gun-free zones.”

These outcomes present a possible roadmap for lawmakers within the upcoming legislative session, with a give attention to psychological well being, college security, and holding each college students and oldsters accountable for violence threats.

The Atlanta Journal-Structure studies: “Home Speaker Jon Burns took an preliminary step final week when he outlined a collection of proposals to develop psychological well being entry, crack down on college capturing threats and provides state-backed incentives for folks shopping for security mechanisms.”