More Than Half of Oregon Students Will Go Back to School in Districts That Have Passed Measures to Ban Concealed Carry of Firearms From All School Grounds

Throughout the Summer, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers Testified and Advocated In Local School Districts Promoting this Life-Saving Policy

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety's grassroots network, issued the following statement celebrating that a majority of students in Oregon will return to school under resolutions prohibiting concealed carry of firearms from their school grounds. Since the passage of SB 554 that went into effect statewide in 2021, 44 school districts across Oregon have prohibited concealed weapons on school or campus grounds, comprising over 53% of students in the Beaver State covered by the policy.

"No child, teacher or school staff member should be under the fear of a gun firing at school - this policy gives more peace of mind to families across the state," said Judy Tannehill, a volunteer with Oregon Moms Demand Action. "Schools should be a place of learning, not gunfire. Since the passage of SB 554, we have been working tirelessly to ensure our children are safe on school grounds. Yet, there is still a lot of work to be done. As kids return to school, we will continue to advocate and work with partners to add more districts to the tally. We will not stop working until every child in Oregon is in a school that is safe from gun violence."

SB 554 allows certain public places, including K-12 schools and colleges, to prohibit the concealed carry of firearms, regardless of whether someone has a concealed handgun license. Research shows that allowing guns on school grounds is likely to lead to more shootings, homicides, and suicides, and that they're unlikely to prevent mass shootings. In September 2021, the Oregon School Board Association (OSBA) released a model policy (policy KGBB) for school districts to enact and follow.

In an average year, 600 people die by guns in Oregon. With a rate of 13.3 deaths per 100,000 people, Oregon has the 32nd-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. 78% of gun deaths in Oregon are by firearm suicide. Gun violence costs Oregon $8.1 billion each year, of which $89.1 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Oregon is available here.