Canadian schools are safe, experts say
“THAT’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.”
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This story contains details that some readers may find disturbing.
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If you find this topic troubling, ask an adult or someone you trust to read it to you.
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A deadly shooting at a school occurred in Uwalde, Texas, on May 24.
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A total of 21 people died, mostly children.
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It is normal to feel scared after hearing such news.
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But experts say schools in Canada are safe.
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Keep reading to find out more. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
People are gathering to show support for the victims of the tragic school shooting that took place in Uwalde, Texas, earlier this week.
The news is hard to digest: on May 24, 19 children and two teachers were killed when an 18-year-old entered a school and shot them.
If you go to school every day, you may be wondering if you are safe there.
“Just because something is possible doesn’t mean it’s likely to happen.” – Rebecca Pilay Riedel, child psychologist
Canadian schools are “safe places,” said Rebecca Pillay Riedel, a child psychologist at York University in Toronto.
It is true that there have been school shootings in Canada, but they are extremely rare. Experts say this is largely because Canada has very strict gun laws.
What happened in Uwalde, Texas?
Uwalde is home to about 16,000 people and is about an hour’s drive from the Mexican border. (Graphic design by Philip Street / CBC)
On Tuesday, 600 Robb Elementary students were preparing to celebrate the end of the school year.
The attack took place in a fourth-grade classroom.
These are the students and teachers who are remembered. (Image Credit: Family Materials / Reuters)
The person responsible for the shooting was killed by a police officer at the school.
Police are still investigating the cause of the shooting.
After the tragic incident, people gathered in person and online to remember the victims and share their grief.
Texas singer and actor Selena Gomez is one of many celebrities who have spoken.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed sadness on behalf of all Canadians.
“It’s just wrong,” he said
There were 27 school shootings in the United States this year.
Politicians and celebrities are calling for stricter gun laws to prevent these incidents.
“Why do we continue to allow this to happen?” US President Joe Biden asked in a speech after the shooting.
US President Joe Biden spoke to the media after the May 24 shooting in Uwalde. (Image: Manuel Balche Cheneta / Associated Press)
Part of the reason is something called the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, which dates from 1791.
This means that Americans have the right to own and bear arms.
Glenn Hannah, a former RCMP officer who teaches crime at Guelph-Humber University in Ontario, said the right was born out of the American Revolution, which took place more than 200 years ago, from 1775-1783.
During this war, people took up arms to fight for independence from the British.
“This is their culture, to always have weapons, to be ready to overthrow a government that is out of control,” Hannah said.
Weapons are part of their “cultural make-up”, said Wayne McKay, a retired law professor at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.
“Having a gun is a basic individual right” for people in the United States, he said.
But many in the United States, including politicians and celebrities like Kim Kardashian, are calling for a change in the law.
“The idea that an 18-year-old could go into a store and buy two weapons of attack is just wrong,” Biden said in a speech. “What the hell do you need assault weapons for, other than to kill someone?”
Weapons of attack are the types of weapons often used in wars that allow the shooter to fire several bullets in a row.
But many Americans believe that stricter gun laws violate their rights, and some politicians are blocking changes to the law.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the shooting was a mental health problem, not a weapon.
How Safe are Children in Canada?
The last shooting at a school in Canada took place in February at a high school in Scarborough, Ontario, in which an 18-year-old man was targeted and killed.
But it was the first deadly shooting at a school in Canada in nine years.
In general, experts say that schools in Canada are safe from gun violence.
Why? Well, it is very difficult for anyone, not just young people, to acquire weapons in this country.
A plaque with the names of the dead is made during the vigil on May 25 in Uwalde. (Image credit: Marco Bello / Reuters)
In particular, Canadian law makes it difficult to have attack-style weapons, “especially the many types of weapons that are often used in these tragedies,” McKay said.
In Canada, anyone who wants to own a weapon must go through several time-consuming steps, such as taking a course, obtaining a license, checking, and registering their weapon.
All weapons must be stored safely so that they cannot be easily accessed.
People who want a gun must have a specific reason, Hannah said.
Most people in Canada have weapons for hunting purposes, McKay said, like rifles.
Feeling scared? This is normal
Rebecca Pillay Riedel, a child psychologist, said it’s normal to feel scared, anxious or even angry when you hear news like this.
It will never make sense for bad things to happen, she said, and it’s good to talk about it with an adult and share your feelings, but she doesn’t recommend stopping there.
“Just because something is possible doesn’t mean it’s likely to happen,” she said.
Members of the community gather in the town square of Uwalde for a prayer vigil in honor of the victims. (Image Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar / Getty Images)
If your feelings last for a few weeks and prevent you from doing normal things in your life, you may want to talk to someone about it, such as a parent, teacher, or even a child helpline.
If you want to do something positive, there are many options, she said, such as organizing a baking sale to send funds to survivors, creating a video on TikTok to raise awareness or launching an online petition.
Here are some tips for dealing with sad or scary news:
Do you have more questions? Do you want to tell us how we are? Use the “send us feedback” link below. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
With files from the Associated Press, CBC
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