Clayton BOE Support for Gun Safety Legislation September 2024

School District of Clayton Board of Education Resolution September, 2024 A Resolution of the Board of Education, School District of Clayton, Clayton, Missouri, to declare support for sensible gun safety legislation. Whereas the School District of Clayton Core Values affirm that "We promote...innovation by encouraging ideas and practices that foster adaptability (and) accountability by aligning our actions and resources with our stated objectives and taking responsibility for the outcomes”; Whereas gun violence, and threats of gun violence, in schools undermine the sense of security that all students should have in their learning environment; Whereas gun violence presents a clear and present danger to the students, parents, educators, administrators, and support staff of the School District of Clayton; Whereas since the school shooting in Columbine in 1999, there have been numerous other school shootings, as well as a local shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis, that have taken scores of young lives; Whereas the American Medical Association adopted a policy calling gun violence a "public health crisis"; Whereas students have seized the conscience of the nation with their demand for strong action to reduce preventable gun violence and to deliver an unmistakable message that now is the time to pass common sense gun safety laws; and Whereas sensible gun safety legislation will strengthen protections for our schools and students by preventing dangerous individuals from attaining firearms; and Whereas it is the belief of the Board of Education of the School District of Clayton that we must be leaders in innovative and meaningful policy to confront gun violence. Now therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Education of the School District of Clayton supports sensible gun safety legislation to protect students and staff, including: 1. Implementing enhanced background checks for assault weapons including raising the age to 21 to purchase assault weapons; 2. Strengthening universal background checks for the purchase of firearms; 3. Banning the purchase of semi-automatic rifles and of any accessories (e.g., Bump Stocks) designed to increase a gun’s rate of fire; 4. Banning gun sales to domestic violence offenders; 5. Preventing access to firearms for individuals who through mental health evaluation or diagnosis could be considered a danger to themselves or others; 6. Increasing funding for programs and school staffing (e.g., social workers, counselors, nurses, and psychologists) that support mental health and social-emotional well-being and learning; and 7. Providing funding for thorough gun violence research including the collection of data necessary to track, monitor, understand, and prevent the extent of gun violence in America. Adopted this 25th day of September, 2024. ___________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ Stacy Siwak, President Kim Hurst, Vice President Jason Growe, Treasurer ___________________________ ________________________________ ___________________________ Chris Win, Secretary D. Leo Human, Director Dr. Pamela Lyss-Lerman, Director