On Sept. 4, 14-year-old Apalachee High School student Colt Gray opened fire in the school hallways after leaving his morning Algebra class. After a 10-minute period of shooting, police detained Gray, but it was too late. His actions had led to the death of two students and two teachers. Nine others were injured. 

   Since the ratification of the Bill of Rights 233 years ago, the American people have had the right to bear arms. The original intent of this amendment was purely for protection against foreign invasion or domestic tyranny, but people like Gray and his family have found ways to abuse the amendment’s vagueness.

  The incident at the Georgia high school was a reminder of the controversy surrounding this country’s gun laws, there have been numerous school shootings of much larger magnitude. Robb Elementary School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Sandy Hook Elementary School, and Columbine High School are just a few schools that have been devastated by gun violence in the last 25 years. In 2024 alone, there were 139 incidents of gunfire at American schools, according to Everytown Research. None have been deadlier than the events at Apalachee.

   Apalachee students returned to classes on Sept. 24 after almost three weeks of no school. Students received supportive messages from all over the country and got help from grief counselors. 

   The school has implemented half-days until Oct. 14, when classes will return to a full-day schedule, according to CNN. A petition calling for additional safety measures such as clear bag policies and metal detectors has been signed by more than 1,200 people within the community.

   According to The Washington Post, since the Columbine tragedy that took 13 lives in 1999, 383,000 American students have experienced gun violence. Pinewood students were asked about their thoughts on the matter, what needs to change, and the possibility of gun violence in their communities.

   The almost nonexistent security process behind the sale of guns in America has long been criticized by the rest of the world and by many American citizens as well. 

   According to AAP.org, while federal law requires background checks before guns are sold by licensed dealers, gun transactions between private parties do not need a background check. This has provided a legal way for people who fail security measures to obtain firearms.

   Senior Shay Mallempati is aware of the threat gun violence poses but said he is not concerned about the threat of a school shooting at Pinewood.

   “There’s a small chance because of the area we live in,” Mallempati said. “Los Altos Hills isn’t the same as a city like Atlanta in terms of gun violence.”

   Director of Upper Campus Counseling Stephanie Fugita knows the location is not the sole factor influencing the likelihood of a school shooting. There has been a rising number of perpetrators who are students that are struggling mentally. Many of these students feel isolated at their schools, and Pinewood’s tight knit community must work together to foster acceptance and togetherness.