By Robert Jordan, Founder of SITE|SAFETYNET℠
Missouri Parents Demand Action on School Safety: What This Means for Our Schools. This past week, more than 200 activists gathered at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri, to demand action on school safety. Parents, gun violence survivors, and advocacy groups like Missouri Moms Demand Action and Missouri Students Demand Action lobbied lawmakers, urging them to take school safety seriously. Their message was clear: protecting children should be a priority.
The Growing Concern Over School Safety
Emily Schiltz, a mother of two survivors from the tragic 2022 Central Visual and Performing Arts Academy shooting in St. Louis, voiced the concerns of many parents. “Guns are the leading killer of kids in the United States,” she told FOX 2. “We’re all in this together, and there are many ways to keep kids safer.”
At SITE|SAFETYNET℠, we share this urgency. Our mission is to provide real-time, data-driven assessments that help schools proactively address security gaps. Parents should never have to fear for their children’s safety in a place of learning.
Legislation and Its Impact on School Safety
Advocates at the Capitol expressed concerns over several pieces of legislation they believe could increase gun violence rather than reduce it. House Bill 1175, known as the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” recently passed in the Missouri House and is now awaiting Senate action.
Additional bills under scrutiny include:
- Senate Bill 77 – Would allow guns in places of worship and on public transit.
- Senate Bill 142 – Would prevent local police from enforcing specific federal gun laws.
- Senate Bill 363 – Expands Missouri’s “Shoot First” law, allowing gun owners to use weapons as a first line of self-defense.
While gun rights remain a contentious issue, Schiltz emphasized that common-sense solutions—like keeping firearms out of the hands of minors and promoting safe gun storage—are widely supported. “Reducing access for minors, improving access to and use of gun locks—there are a lot of simple measures that a lot of us agree upon that can keep kids safe,” she said.
Moving Beyond Intruder Drills
One key concern Schiltz and other parents raised is the psychological impact of school intruder drills. “They’re terrifying. We’re giving kids bonus trauma when they’re not even in a school shooting,” she explained.
At SITE|SAFETYNET℠, we believe school safety is about more than preparing for worst-case scenarios—it’s about prevention. Schools need actionable safety assessments, improved mental health resources, and better coordination with law enforcement. Our platform provides real-time safety scores and customized recommendations to help schools address vulnerabilities before a crisis occurs.
The Path Forward
The bipartisan response from Missouri legislators suggests there is common ground regarding protecting children. But as parents, educators, and safety advocates, we must continue pushing for solutions that make our schools safer without adding unnecessary fear and trauma to students’ lives.
At SITE|SAFETYNET℠, we are committed to empowering schools with the tools they need to keep students safe. We encourage parents, administrators, and lawmakers to prioritize evidence-based safety strategies that create real change.
If you are a school leader or parent looking for ways to enhance safety in your district, visit SITE|SAFETYNET.org to learn how we can help.
Robert Jordan founded SITE|SAFETYNET℠, a real-time safety assessment platform dedicated to improving school security nationwide.
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