390,000. The number of students in the U.S. who have been affected by gun violence at school since 1999. [1] 516. The number injured or killed in the U.S. due to school shooting occurrences between 2018 and 2024. [2] 20 to 25 times — that's how much more frequently the U.S. experiences school gun violence compared to other developed countries. [3]
These numbers are massive and shocking. Although gun violence typically concerns the average person, many believe it won't directly impact their lives—that is, until they find themselves in proximity to the tragedy that is school-related gun violence.
Growing up, school shootings were a harsh reality that I accepted early on. Being a Gen-Zer who was born five years after Columbine, I simply did not know any different. I participated in active shooter drills at school every month since elementary school. My parents had conversations with me and my siblings about how we could increase our chances of survival if we ever faced one of these dire situations. However, like any other naive child, I never took these conversations and drills as seriously as I should have. I believed I was immune to anything dreadful that I witnessed on the television or read about in the news. That was until my senior year of high school, when I could no longer shield myself from the senseless violence.
Sitting in my AP Statistics class in 2023, I was chatting with my friends about the two most prominent issues we faced: the test we had after lunch and which dresses we would be wearing to prom. Then, our teacher informed us that a shooting had just occurred at a private Christian school in Nashville about 30 minutes from where my high school was located. My mind immediately started racing. I had close friends who attended private schools—were any of them harmed? What would this mean for the city that I loved so much? Was my school in danger? I could no longer be the naive child who turned off the news when something scary occurred. The news was in my backyard.
It was later revealed that the incident took place at The Covenant School, resulting in six lives lost. [4] Afterward, Tennessee became the epicenter of the discussion surrounding school shootings. Protests were planned, walkouts were staged, and moments of silence became a regular occurrence around the state. Three members of the Tennessee House of Representatives staged a protest for gun control on the house floor, becoming the "Tennessee Three." Two of them were expelled for their activism. [5]
None of these things were quite surprising, though, except for perhaps the expulsion of the representatives (but with a GOP-dominated legislature, even that was not utterly shocking). However, something did happen that broke the mold for what typically took place in the aftermath of school-related gun violence. Republican, Southern, gun-owning mothers became the driving force behind gun control reform. And they became this force in a state that allows both open and permitless carry—a state with a Republican supermajority in the legislature, and a deeply rooted gun culture. [6]
My point is not to convince you that stricter gun laws are the solution (although I certainly believe this), but rather to emphasize the need for bipartisan policy discussions and evidence-based solutions.
Because, despite its politics and policies, I love Tennessee. Sundays are a testament to our tight-knit communities, with almost everyone heading to church. It feels nearly impossible to run errands without bumping into someone who asks about how your mama is doing. And, typically, on the last Saturday in November, most of my classmates would kick off their weekend with rifles in hand, marking the start of deer hunting season. Faith, family, and firearms—these are the values that Tennesseeans hold dear.
What happens, though, when one of these values threatens the very safety of our schools and communities? When it takes the lives of six innocent individuals?
Enter three Covenant School mothers. What gun-reform activists had been striving to do for years, these moms did in what seemed like a matter of minutes as they dove into the political conversation. Never underestimate the power of Southern mothers doing whatever it takes to protect their children. However, these moms belonged to a typically pro-gun party, which made their voices in gun reform advocacy even more impactful.
An NPR podcast highlighted, “Within months, the women start organizing. They announce the launch of a nonprofit and an action fund. They start holding press conferences, urging lawmakers to pass stricter gun laws. As mothers, as conservatives, they think, who better to push for change?” [7]
From over 60 meetings with legislators to national headlines, these suburban moms became the face of common-sense gun legislation. Along with them, other parents fought for change. This included the former director of the Tennessee Republican Party and public policy leader of the Southern Baptist Convention. [8]
As of today, Tennessee has not yet passed any gun safety legislation. Policy should always take precedence over party allegiance. We can uphold the values and freedoms we hold dear while also supporting legislation that serves the best interests of our children and communities.
In an interview, The Covenant School moms began reflecting on their past political engagement before the tragedy occurred, asking themselves, “Where the heck have we been?” "[6] We need to ask ourselves—“Where the heck have we been?”—focusing too much on party over policy, refusing to compromise even when it comes to the safety of our children.
390,000. The number of students in the U.S. who have experienced gun violence since 1999. [1] 3. The number of determined moms it took to begin making a difference. These mothers showed that it's entirely possible to ask about someone's mama on a Friday, go hunting on Saturday, sing in the church choir on Sunday, and advocate for gun safety on Monday. These values and actions are not mutually exclusive. When we focus on prioritizing policy over party, everyone benefits.
