New US gun laws 2025: Will they curb school shootings in America?

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Unspoken fears in the classroom (AI generated image)

The United States has entered 2025 grappling with a deeply rooted crisis: Gun violence, particularly in schools. In 2024, the country witnessed a record surge in school shootings, with incidents reaching their highest level in the past decade. This unsettling trend has intensified public scrutiny and debate over gun control policies.

Which states are the most unsafe for students?

Data from the CNN School Shootings Database, compiled from reports by the Gun Violence Archive, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Education Week, reveals a disturbing reality. As of December 16, 2024, there had been 83 school shootings that year, surpassing the total of 82 recorded in 2023. Certain states have historically borne the brunt of this violence.
California tops the list with 270 school shootings reported between 1966 and July 2024. Texas follows closely with 225, while Florida ranks third with 155. Illinois and Ohio round out the top five, with 146 and 134 incidents, respectively. These figures point to a persistent regional disparity in school safety, driven by a combination of population density, socioeconomic factors, and varying gun control measures.

State Number of School Shootings (1966–July 2024)
California 270
Texas 225
Florida 155
Illinois 146
Ohio 134

Source: CNN School Shootings Database

Existing federal laws on gun control

The legal framework addressing gun violence in schools has existed for decades but has faced limitations in enforcement and scope. The Gun-Free School Zones Act (GFSZA) of 1990 prohibits unauthorized individuals from knowingly possessing or discharging firearms within 1,000 feet of a school. Exceptions are made for licensed individuals and specific circumstances, but the law’s effectiveness has been questioned due to inconsistent implementation.
The Gun-Free Schools Act (GFSA) of 1994 complements the GFSZA by mandating a minimum one-year expulsion for students found bringing firearms to school. While this act sets a strict baseline, local educational agencies can modify expulsion requirements, leading to variability in enforcement. Together, these laws reflect federal efforts to establish a foundation for school safety, but gaps remain, particularly in addressing access to firearms outside school zones.

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The new wave of gun laws in 2025

Starting January 1, 2025, a series of new gun laws have taken effect across several states. These laws illustrate the deep polarization of gun control in the United States, with some states tightening regulations while others expand firearm rights. The changes highlight the ongoing battle between gun safety advocates and defenders of the Second Amendment.
Here’s the list of new gun legislations effective from January 1, 2025:
California

  • AB1483: Introduces consumer warnings on firearm sales and strengthens limitations on handgun purchases.
  • AB1598: Enhances guidance for courts regarding restraining orders related to gun violence.
  • AB2917: Expands the one-handgun-per-30-days purchase limit to include private party transactions.

Colorado

  • Concealed Carry Permit Training: Requires applicants for concealed carry permits to complete specific training.
  • Storage Requirements: Mandates firearms stored in unoccupied vehicles be locked in a hard-sided container and kept out of view.

New York

  • Consumer Warnings Requirement: Similar to California, requires licensed gunsmiths and dealers to display consumer warning notices.

Minnesota

  • Ban on Binary Triggers: Prohibits the sale and possession of firearms equipped with binary triggers, which allow rapid firing.

New Hampshire

  • Employee Gun Storage Rights: Permits employees to store firearms in locked vehicles on employer property without disciplinary repercussions.

Kentucky

  • Merchant Category Code Restrictions: Prohibits financial institutions from using merchant category codes to track purchases at firearms dealers, enhancing privacy protections for gun owners.

Does stricter gun regulation ensure a safer environment for students?

States enacting stricter gun control measures argue that these laws address the root causes of gun violence by limiting access to firearms for high-risk individuals and promoting responsible gun ownership. Empirical data supports the claims that stricter gun laws correlate with lower rates of gun-related fatalities, including school shootings.
Research by Everytown on Gun Safety indicates that states with comprehensive gun safety laws, such as universal background checks and safe storage requirements, experience fewer school shootings. For example, states like California and New York, which have robust gun laws, report significantly lower incidents of school shootings compared to states with lax regulations like Texas and Florida. Similarly, States mandating secure storage of firearms reported a significant decrease in accidental shootings and suicides among minors, according to the same report. For instance, Massachusetts, which has stringent storage laws, has not experienced a school shooting since 2000
Further, a study published in the journal Pediatrics found that states with stronger gun laws had a 25% lower rate of firearm deaths among children and adolescents, which includes fatalities from school shootings.
However, critics argue that local regulations are only as effective as their enforcement and that state-by-state approaches create regulatory loopholes. In states with relaxed gun laws, firearms can still be easily purchased and transported across state borders, undermining the intended impact of stricter regulations. The porous nature of these state lines makes federal oversight a critical missing link in the fight against gun violence.

What are the major roadblocks to gun control in the US?

Efforts to reduce gun violence face significant obstacles rooted in the United States’ unique legal, cultural, and political landscape.
The Second Amendment, enshrining the right to bear arms, poses a foundational challenge to gun control advocates. Any attempt to regulate firearms is met with staunch resistance from organizations like the National Rifle Association (NRA), which view such measures as infringements on constitutional rights. This resistance reflects a broader cultural ethos in which gun ownership is equated with personal freedom and self-defense.
Political polarization further complicates the issue. Partisan divides between Democrats and Republicans make bipartisan support for gun control legislation exceedingly rare. Even when public opinion favors stricter laws, legislative hurdles such as filibusters often prevent meaningful reform.
Judicial interpretations also play a critical role as well. Landmark Supreme Court rulings, such as District of Columbia v. Heller, have reinforced the individual right to gun ownership, limiting the scope of potential regulations. These legal precedents create a high bar for advocates seeking to implement stricter controls.

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