Simple Solutions to Gun Violence in America Right in Front of Us

The following article is the first of a two parts.

Our hearts are broken as we begin recovery from yet another school shooting; one leaving  21 dead in Uvalde, Texas.

This means we're faced again with how to recover as a people from a national crisis involving our children.

Some of the most significant discussions will actually take place in America around the office and on social media in the wake of Uvalde, Texas.

The likely subjects discussed: mental health, background checks, gun control, and closely monitored school grounds, with better security.

While these things are important and good to hash out, if we do not talk about the importance of the family, we're missing maybe the most important solution to the now overwhelming problem of gun violence in America.

Whether or not the below will be talking points on television, in the office, and on social media, we must: 

• Make mental health legislation our first and immediate priority
• Acknowledge and readily spot what triggers a child shooter
• Admit that we need heavy police officer and/or security presence at every school in America
• Reaffirm that criminals, and not guns kill people. Reaffirm our commitment to the Constitution, especially to the Second Amendment, and the right to bear arms
• Make the ability to purchase a gun more difficult. That is, enhance pre-purchase screening. 

What Have We Learned, if Anything?

Will we witness a civil and religious surge in America, following the tragedies in Buffalo and now Uvalde? 

Following Sept. 11, 2001, the unity in America was palpable, if not breathtaking. We watched our leaders in government on the steps of the Capitol singing together.

Nightly, we saw and heard stories about the survivors of those killed in the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 

Stories overwhelming, yet inspirational.

Resurgence in the nation's church attendance, reflected our emergence from the deep pain felt. This was a noteworthy moment in time.

The outcome of the 9/11 attacks were  reforms to our nation's laws, as they related to terror threats, and the relative safety and national security ensuing for the last two decades.

Remember the school shootings in Newtown, Connectitcut (Sandy Hook), Parkland, Florida, or Santa Fe, Texas?

Resultant societal-political actions seemed like another possibility to solve this reoccurring stain on American life as young people were seen on television, social media, and even the White House promoting reformation within their schools.

Could we see another civil and religious surge in America rise out of this current national mass shootings crisis?

History Lessons

Unfortunately, civil and religious (re)awakenings have not been sustainable very often in America.

Perhaops, post-Uvalde things will be different.

While it's always good to have a national conversation (hopefully one leading to an on-going dialogue about our political leanings when it comes to firearms and the laws governing them), nothing can supplant a strong police presence, secured campuses, metal detectors, readily available and accessible mental health counseling, as well on-campus recruitment, for the purpose of creating positive movements to counter violence.

That is, the formation of student and faculty groups who would be proactive, empathetic, and vigilent in their quests to recognize and stop violence --- before it occurs.

We can compare gun laws in Japan or Australia, talk about whether guns shoot themselves or cars drive drunk, so to speak, but perhaps we need to place stricter censorship on violent video games, and even recognize that when prayer was removed from schoolroom, that in part helped to usher in the decline of many places of learning in America.

After four decades of Youth Leadership, Jeff Grenell founded ythology to inspire, educate and resource youth leaders to prepare the NextGen to lead in the Church and the world. Some of the services yhthology offers include events, leadership development, resources, anti sex-trafficking and humanitarian efforts. Follow Jeff on Twitter: @jeffgrenell Read Jeff Grenell's Reports — More Here.