Action: Keep Children Safe at School

Action: Keep Children Safe at School

Address School Safety and Gun Violence During Special Session

In the wake of the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, Minnesota lawmakers are considering ways to address gun violence and school safety measures ahead of a possible special legislative session. While a special session focused on gun regulation may address part of the problem, it is insufficient if it ignores other urgent concerns, particularly equitable school safety funding for all students, including those in nonpublic schools. The goal of gun violence legislation should be to protect innocent human life, not just limit access to dangerous weapons. Therefore, comprehensive approaches are needed, especially as schools continue to be targets of mass shootings.

WATCH: Archbishop Hebda testifies in Senate Gun Violence Working Group Hearing

In collaboration with other faith leaders and nonpublic school advocates, the Minnesota Catholic Conference renews our call to urge legislators to pass school safety funding for all students. We are requesting $100 per pupil for all students, regardless of where they attend school—public, nonpublic, charter, or tribal. The current law, which allows public school districts to levy at $36 per student for public school students only, is unacceptable. We must not discriminate against children simply because of the school they attend. This is a matter of public safety, not education finance. Just as the fire department does not have to pass by a faith-based organization when there is a fire, the state should make a public safety commitment to protect all children.  

Contact your lawmaker now and urge them to protect all students:

What about guns?

Regarding gun regulations, the Catholic Church in Minnesota has long supported common-sense measures, such as protective orders and expanded background checks. But these latter two laws did not prevent the Annunciation tragedy. Reasonable conversations can and should be had about regulating certain types of weapons and high-capacity magazines, which have little value outside a military context.  

While Americans have a right to possess firearms, whether for the purpose of hunting or for self-defense, these rights also come with responsibilities in a properly functioning society. Public safety demands thoughtful limits on gun ownership that allow communities to live without fear of violence at church, school, or in daily life. 

At the same time, limiting the gun violence problem to the questions of guns merely masks the root causes of violence that are exacerbated by other policies. We encourage public officials to enforce existing gun laws to keep dangerous individuals off the streets, while also addressing the deeper causes of violence such as mental health struggles, family breakdown, and a growing despair often worsened by harmful ideologies, substance abuse, and the absence of God in people’s lives. 

Learn more about our gun violence prevention efforts here.  

In the meantime, we must take actionable steps where possible. Ahead of a special session, encourage your lawmakers to support school safety funding that protects all students.

If you feel called to also advocate for assault rifle and high-capacity magazine restrictions, please feel free to personalize your message accordingly to legislators on school safety.