Marlene NguepnangKarhlikerWorld LiteratureMarch 13, 2014School Shootings: The Right to SafetyAmerican schools are considered a safe environment, which helps enrich and grow young minds; but the recent increase in school shootings proves this assumption wrong. In the event of a school shooting; the gunman enters an academic building and shoots students and school staff. American school shootings are a complex maze to which even the government has not yet been able to find the best and most stable solution. There are an unlimited number of questions and few or no answers; Should gun buyers and owners subject themselves to more restrictions and background checks? Should families and patients with mental illnesses receive more help and financial support? Is there work to be done to improve the safety of America's schools? The first school shooting occurred in the late 1700s, students and teachers went through what was a normal school day, but everything changed when four Lenape Indians entered the school in Greencastle, PA (Epstein). The gunmen killed at least 10 children and the school principal. At this time in history, school shootings were rare. now, school shootings have become more common: “There are at least 24 shootings recorded in the 2012-13 school year… up to eight shootings in the 2011-12 school year, and a total of 12 in the 2010-13 school year 11" (Bidwell). This shows that school shootings are increasing year after year, although they may not occur as often as we believe. Adam Lanza, Seung-hui Cho, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold all have one thing in common: they took part in the three worst mass shootings in American history. Adam Lanza shot up an elementary school, Seung-hui Cho shot and killed 32 stu...... middle of paper ......ser, Christine. “Virginia Tech shooting leaves 33 dead.” The New York Times. NP, April 16, 2007. Network. February 12, 2014 Lankford, Adam. “What Drives Mass Murderers to Suicide.” The New York Times. NP, December 17, 2012. Network. February 12, 2014. Mackay, Jenny. The Columbine School shooting. Farmington Hills: Gale, Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.Robertz, j. Frank. "Deadly Dreams: What Motivates School Shootings? [Preview]." American scientist. Np, July 30, 2007. Web. February 10, 2014. Sutter, John D. “The Columbine Massacre Changed School Safety.” CNN.com. Np, April 20, 2009. Web. February 12, 2014. Szabo, Liz. “Newtown shooting suggestions call for mental health reform.” USA Today (2013): Web. February 10, 2014 "Fast facts on the Virginia Tech shootings." CNN.com. Np, 31 October 2013. Web.19 February 2014. Zakaria, Fareed. “The True Tragedy of Gun Violence in America.” CNN.com. Np, 14 December 2013. Web. 14 February. 2014.