Study: Roughly a Third of Parents Worry a Shooting Incident Could Happen at School

In a new Pew Research Center survey, school shootings have hit close to home for many U.S. parents, with results showing about 32 percent of parents of kids in K-12 schools and institutions said they are highly concerned and worried that a shooting would ever happen at their kids' schools, Pew Research Org reported.

A similar share of K-12 parents, 31 percent, stated that they are not too or not at all anxious, while 37 percent of parents fall somewhere in the middle, saying that they are somewhat worried about a shooting ever happening at their kid's school. The survey was conducted on September 20 to October 2 among 3,757 U.S. parents with at least one child below 18 and 3,251 with kids in K-12 Schools. It followed the lethal shooting of 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, in May.

The study also determined that mothers of kids in K-12 schools are more likely to worry than fathers. Roughly 24 percent of mothers are extremely anxious about their kid's status if a shooting occurs, while only 23 percent of fathers are worried.

Preventing school shootings

Around half of the K-12 parents with lower incomes, 49 percent, expressed their worry about a school shooting happening at their children's school. It is remarkably higher than the share among middle-income, 26 percent, and 19 percent for upper-income parents. On the other hand, the study identified K-12 parents who reside in urban areas, 46 percent, are more worried about school shootings than those who live in suburban or rural areas, 28 percent.

Moreover, Democratic and Democratic-leaning parents of kids in K-12 schools express a higher level of concern over school shootings than Republican-leaning parents, at 40 percent. These parents overthink the possibility of a shooting at their children's school. Due to rising gun violence at schools in the past and recent years, there has been widespread discussion regarding policies and approaches that might prevent such tragedies.

When parents were asked about the specific strategies they see to prevent school shootings, they responded with mental health screening and treatment. And 63 percent of kids below 18 agree to this and treat such a strategy to prevent school shootings effectively, while 49 percent of parents prefer having police or armed security in schools to deter any school shootings.

Possible impacts of witnessing a shooting

There have been approximately 140 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2022, resulting in 46 deaths and 111 injuries nationwide. Many American children are exposed to gun violence. More than 3,500 kids and juveniles are shot and killed, and 15,000 more are shot and injured. An estimated 3 million kids in the United States are exposed to shootings annually, making firearms the leading cause of death for kids and teens.

Kids exposed to shootings can experience multiple mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Those who witness shootings can also fail or have difficulties in school. They are also more likely to engage in criminal activity, per Every Town Research.