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Have any of you ever heard of jubilee? It's  youtube channel to help people discuss controversial, and deep subjects.

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Pro-Gun Vs. Anti-Gun: Is There Middle Ground? | Middle Ground

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Also, Ben and Avani found some amazing statistics. We could definitely use those to write our congresspeople letters (hint, hint). We additionally have Señora's template to guide us.

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I just learned that in Canada, unlike the United States, Canada has a law against using weapons actively on your own property. (yes there is a law that allows people with guns to fire them on their property, there are many channels on youtube that do this sort of thing.) So in Canada you have to go to a shooting range instead of being able to shoot guns on your own property. I haven't done any further research so that's all I know for now. -Ben

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I read in an article (not sure when it was published so it might not be very accurate) that the US has more guns than any other nation and has more gun deaths than other countries. The gun deaths in the US are six times Canada's, over seven times as Sweden, and 16 times as Germany.

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That was four years ago.

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I have just learned that Australia has implemented gun control too. It took them three and a half months, and the conservatives accepted the laws after they were passed. Some of them even admitted to overreacting.

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I agree with both of you. However, hopefully, we can say that these students have enough maturity to not take advantage of a memorial of murdered students.

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We could also have stuff in classes on the low - importance side. Then we'd we fine. Plus there should be a teacher on the playground to ensure there is no talking. If a student wants to stay outside in the likely chilly March Air-mass all day, then that is quite honestly their problem. I know I would not want to be out in the 40's for more than 30 minutes to myself and not talk with anyone...

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Ok, there we go. Also, I like Jon's idea of doing a more constricted version of the walkout with just the playground. However, I feel like a lot of the kids would take advantage of that as a way to get out of class because it would be available for the full day. However, if we do it for just Advisory than maybe that would work.

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By the way, this is Rachna. I just need to sign in.

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Sorry, I'm late to the discussion. I agree with both Shambhavi and Jon in some ways. Although walking out in the middle of school is very dangerous, I think that some kind of action is needed. How about instead of walking out to support the families, we do something to help the families of the victims, like fundraising of donating to the GoFundMe. I know that we aren't allowed to do fundraising but we can ask kids to bring in money if they would like to donate. We could all give this money to Señora and then she can donate that amount of money to the GoFundMe.

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Let's have a big convo about this tomorrow in advisory! I look forward to it!

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Its good to know we have so many ideas! Now we know, aside from adding more, that we have a big pool of ideas to choose from when we are ready!

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I would be fine with an of those ideas, let me know if I can help in any way!

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Here is a guide for writing letters to congressmen and women about gun control.

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If you're hurting like I am right now, thinking about the epidemic of gun violence in this country, but you have not yet contacted your elected representatives to make your voice heard, it's time.

I believe that many of us are disillusioned with our government, knowing the power the gun lobby holds over so many of the politicians that are supposed to fight for us, but disengaging from the system and spreading the word isn't enough.

I repeat -- it isn't enough.

I just finished reading Senator Elizabeth Warren's memoir and I am emotional and fired up about what our senators and representatives can do. They are our voices in Washington, and we don't even have a chance of them following through on that unless we share our opinions and let them know what we feel.

I was appalled that when I tried to find sample form letters of gun control support, I couldn't find even one  --  just four straight Google result pages of sample letters for those who oppose gun control. So! I have taken some of the guesswork out for you, poked around online, and using the language of Everytown for Gun Safety and Americans for Responsible Solutions, crafted my own form letter for you to use.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. Take a little bit of time out of your day today and call or email your representatives. Not doing so  -- staying silent and privately grieving  --  isn't enough anymore.

To contact my Representative and Senators took about 10 minutes in all.
Here's how to contact your senators and Congresspeople:
Find your senator.
Find your representative. Visit ContactTheCongress.org. Do you know how your Senators voted on expanded background checks in December 2015? Find out here. Now that you know who you are reps are, how to contact them, and where they stand on gun reform, here's a form letter for you to use:
Dear ________________,

I am writing to urge you to vote to close the deadly loopholes in our laws that make it too easy for dangerous people to get guns. The federal government currently can't block firearm sales to suspected terrorists, and I'm begging you to close this deadly loophole in our gun laws immediately.

The bottom line is this: Lax gun laws allow suspected terrorists to buy guns on our soil. Organizations like al Qaeda are well aware of this, and even instruct would-be terrorists to exploit them in the U.S. If you're a suspected terrorist, you shouldn't be able to buy a gun, and I hope you will address this glaring national security issue.

Background checks are supported by over 90 percent of all Americans and are a commonsense tool for keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, terrorists and the dangerously mentally ill.

It's time to end the epidemic of gun violence in our country. Thank you for doing what is right for the people of [your state] and the United States.
Thank you,

Thank you,
[Your Name]
Want to call instead? Right on! Here is a script to use, from Americans for Responsible Solutions (with some added language from Everytown):
Hello, my name is __________, and I'm calling today from _______ to urge Senator/Representative __________ to support expanded background checks to reduce gun violence in the United States, and to work to prevent suspected terrorists from buying firearms. The federal government currently can't block firearm sales to suspected terrorists, and I'm begging you to close this deadly loophole in our gun laws immediately.

Background checks are supported by over 90 percent of all Americans and are a commonsense tool for keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill. If you're a suspected terrorist, you shouldn't be able to buy a gun, and I hope you will address this glaring national security issue.

Thank you for sharing my message.
Or you can tweet your Congresspeople, directly from Everytown for Gun Safety's website! It's very cool.
Of course, these form letters are optional for your use; if you have particular ideas about policy or want to speak from experience, you should absolutely do so. The most important thing is that you contact your representatives to tell them: this has to change.

Thank you for doing your part... I genuinely believe that together our voices can make a difference! Please share!

This is our country, and elected officials work for us. Don't go down without a fight.
This post originally appeared on Medium.

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An Easy Guide To Contacting Your Elected Representatives About Gun Control

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If you're hurting like I am right now, thinking about the epidemic of gun violence in this country, but you have not yet contacted your elected representatives to make your voice heard, it's time.

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Here is some info on Illinois Gun Laws

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Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence

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Among other things, Illinois:

Requires that all individuals without concealed handgun permits obtain a ten-year license (a Firearm Owner's Identification, or FOID, card) to purchase or possess firearms and ammunition. The licensing process requires a detailed background check on the prospective FOID cardholder;

Imposes waiting periods between the purchase and actual transfer of a firearm to a purchaser - 24 hours for long guns and 72 hours for handguns;

Has implemented some design safety standards for handguns and has equipped the state attorney general with the authority to adopt detailed standards for handguns;

Has a Child Access Prevention law, which prohibits leaving a firearm unlocked and accessible to a minor under the age of 14; and

Requires firearms owners to report lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement.

Illinois does not, however:

In 2015, Illinois had the 12th lowest rate of gun deaths among the states. Far more crime guns are trafficked into Illinois than out of the state. Between 2010 and 2015, Illinois had the ninth lowest rate of crime gun exports among the states - meaning that guns originally purchased in Illinois were recovered after being used in crimes in other states at the ninth lowest rate among the states. Illinois exports crime guns at a rate that is less than half the national average.

For details about specific firearms laws in Illinois, choose a topic below, or see all of the firearms laws in this state.

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Illinois | Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence

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Among other things, Illinois: Requires that all individuals without concealed handgun permits obtain a ten-year license (a Firearm Owner's Identification, or FOID, card) to purchase or possess firearms and ammunition.

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They're demanding that Congress take legislative action on gun control in the wake of last week's deadly school shooting in Florida instead of merely tweeting their thoughts and prayers.

"Students and staff have the right to teach and learn in an environment free from the worry of being gunned down in their classrooms or on their way home from school," reads the group's statement. "Parents have the right to send their kids to school in the mornings and see them home alive at the end of the day."

The event is the brainchild of EMPOWER, the Woman's March youth branch, and will take place exactly one month after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It's scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in every time zone and last for 17 minutes -- one for each victim who lost their life in the massacre.

Much like the original Women's March, the #Enough Walkout started as one Facebook event that is quickly growing to include dozens of schools across the US, from elementary schools to colleges and universities.

Parkland, Florida, is listed as one of the communities that will participate in the demonstration, according to a map on the organization's website.

Students who survived the shooting in Florida are speaking out in hopes that no more schools face a similar tragedy, and they're planning to protest in Washington, D.C. on March 24 at an event organized by March For Our Lives. Another national walkout is slated for April 20, the nineteenth anniversary of the Columbine shooting in Colorado.

All of the marches share one mission: to put pressure on Congress to pass gun reform and make schools safer.

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women's march organizers are planning a national student walkout to protest gun violence - cnn

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Women's March organizers are planning a national student walkout to protest gun violence

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They're demanding that Congress take legislative action on gun control in the wake of last week's deadly school shooting in Florida instead of merely tweeting their thoughts and prayers. "Students and staff have the right to teach and learn in an environment free from the worry of being gunned down in their classrooms or on their way home from school," reads the group's statement.

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Jon and Shambhavi have some great ideas. First, the actual march is supposed to take place for 17 minutes at 10 am on March 14. Shambhavi proposed walking to the train station. Jon is against walking as he feels it is not safe. I'm sure teachers would march with you, Jon and Shambhavi. There was also talk of making signs and displaying them on NW Highway since it is a heavily trafficked road with lots of visibility. Jon mentioned we could leave lights off in the classrooms as a reminder. Shambhavi also suggested a letter writing campaign to senators and representatives (Love IT!!). Shambhavi also brought up the concept of giving speeches at a podium in a public space.

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Bye!

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Ok. Bye!

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I agree

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Bye!

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I really should be studying for my test. Actually, thanks for reminding me. I am going to go do just that.

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I feel like there are endless possibilities to what we could do. I think we should have at least one going at every part of the day.

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I completely understand that I just wanted to clarify.

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I'm sorry, I couldn't post these for a few minutes

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Got it, yeah, I understand your idea about the lights. As long as well as we do something, in addition, I am completely perfect with this

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It's okay. I have nothing better to do tonight.

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Any idea counts at this point. The bottom line is that we are going to do something. And likely not only one thing...

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Just remember these are just Ideas

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Nah. Thats fine. Im just saying, when a person sees the lights out, then they will know why they are out and that could start the thinking process and what they might want to do as an American Citizen

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Sorry

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Oh, that sounds much better. SOrry, it was a misunderstanding on my part. I'm sorry.

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Nonono. I didnt mean it like that. Wedo other things as well. But that could just be an addition.

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Jon, I'm sorry to say I disagree with that idea. If we don't take actual action we won't be helping the nation achieve the overarching goal of obtaining new laws. I didn't mean to offend you, but we do need to have some sort of session where we address the issues.

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There is still daylight so we can see, but it would be a silent reminder...

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We needed new legislation years ago. Let's do it together! (SOrry if that sounded cheesy)

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Or, maybe we could do lights off in the school all day

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Not a bad idea

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I think we could have a letter writing session

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Yeah. Bruce Rauner too, with him being the Gov.

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You know?

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We do have to remember that we want Congress to notice our demonstration. I want to reach out to senators and representatives everywhere. I am currently writing a letter to Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.

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And its not like Palatine would stop us. If they did they would probably be attacked for not advocating for Florida

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And I am not dilusional and I know I saw those people.So in my eyes it is perfectly legal

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Its a road technically

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Its not a highway!

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"highway"- very fast cars on a bigger road ;)
With my definition, it is a highway. I'm not saying no, I was legitimately asking.

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Yeah but I also think we should do that During advisory, right?

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Do we have the authority to put signs up on a public highway? If we do, sounds fantastic!

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Also regarding the silent prayer idea, I think we should have minute during our assembly to do just that.

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I heard that there were people from around here that stood along NW Highway and held signs saying "Honk if you support this". WHat we could do is something like that?

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Oh, I just got an idea

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I think it defeats the purpose to just talk, though it is helpful. It is #ENOUGH. I think words are not enough for the loss of these students.

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We would need chaperones...

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we cant do it by ourselves

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I just dont think a march or a walk is the best idea

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If it is too much of a safety issue, we could walk after 2:45 @ the train station. However, this will not have the bigger effect. If we are unanimous in our decision it will make a stronger message.

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Meaning we may be able to conduct a walk or something in the extra 45 mins we get there

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Hello? Short Day!

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Lets also consider the possibilities we have with it being a Wednesday?

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I watched an episode of the Colbert show discussing the kids' march. They stood at a podium at one point and prepared speeches regarding this subject. I would love to discuss my view about this. I would be honored and I'm sure others would be honored as well.

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I think that is a very wise idea

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I get what you are saying, but I dont know if we should do that as Middle-Schoolers

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I think later in the days, perhaps during flex, we could have an assembly just like Jon said.

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I would have said we could march on Northwest Highway, but that is seriously dangerous.

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But that brings the issue of safety...

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Maybe we could do a video? Or an assembly?

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We SHOULD take part in something like this. We could talk about other countries' solutions, especially Canada's (not only Canada, I'm just really biased). 

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Afterwards, I think we should divide into groups. Those who want better gun control laws, which will most likely be all of us should march. I think we should march to the train station. We could march on the sidewalk around the station because that is the place we can make the biggest difference.

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Exactly

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I was also saying we should do something in addition to just doing something in advisory though.

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Thanks, Jon! I'm still writing, just a sec.

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I definitely agree with you Shambhavi. We need to do something as Quest or as a community. Middle Schoolers will soon move onto highschool. If we are going to prepare ourselves to be high schoolers, why not do something or take part in this?

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Starting @ 9:45 (the beginning of advisory), we should initiate a discussion about gun laws that currently exist. We should further discuss changes that could be made. This should be a serious conversation, and I believe that the teachers should not initiate this discussion. I would be willing to research and talk about other ways to change gun control laws. We could discuss the liberal vs. conservative views regarding 2cnd amendment rights.

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Senora, as the last thing you posted says, maybe we could turn all the lights off in school at 10 AM for 17 minutes and have 17 minutes of thought, prayer, and silence. This would be in addition to some other things.

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We could also do a "Mix it up lunch like we did before and we could talk with other students of different grades about the things that are going on on this topic and have prompts such as... "What do you think we could have done differently in both laws and public action to have prevented something like this from happening?" Just a thought because the mix it up lunch is a way for others to communicate with other people in other grades that we don't really talk with a lot.

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According to the website Señora has linked, this march will be taking place for a 17 minute period starting @10 AM. This is advisory period. I think because #ENOUGH is saying that words are no longer enough we need to commit to this demonstration. If we don't protest, we might even disgrace the theme of the march; however, security should definitely be considered. As MIDDLE SCHOOL students, this march isn't fully targeted towards us. Nevertheless, I think that we are old enough to begin discussing this issue. Because we need to stay safe, many parents will not approve of marching around Palatine to demonstrate. So here is my solution...

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I think we should do something where any middle-schooler can leave class whenever they want and go out to the playground - not to goof off or anything, but more to reflect on what it means to us to be in a safe school environment. Also, we could reflect on what it must have been like and still is like for the students and families of the Parkland FL Highschool. This way, we are not endangering ourselves by walking off campus as middle-schoolers, but we are still "walking off school on campus". Sorry, I have like 20 ideas but this is just brainstorming so I will list my thoughts...

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Ok, so I just saw that there were some ideas here, but I don't have the time to scroll all the way up to see them all. Can someone explain the basics of most of the ideas here?

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Women's March Youth EMPOWER is calling for students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies to take part in a #NationalSchoolWalkout for 17 minutes at 10am across every time zone on March 14, 2018 to protest Congress' inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods.

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Something I just learned, it is not the movement created by the students in Florida that is behind the organization of this event. I am trying to include a link to the organizers' website.

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This is a chat for us to discuss the problem of gun violence in schools in our country. Feel free to post random thoughts about the topic and March 14, 2018, as well as converse and respond to one another.