College students are using social media to keep #GunsOut of schools
Seen an uptick in flexing selfies lately? That might be due to a new social media campaign from youth advocacy organization DoSomething.org to keep guns off college campuses.
Since the Virginia Tech shooting that killed 33 in 2007, "bills have been introduced in at least 37 states that would allow guns on college campuses," writes Aria Finger, CEO of DoSomething.org, in a post on Medium. Guns will be allowed in classrooms at public Texas universities starting Aug. 1, and a bill allowing concealed carry on campuses in Georgia is gaining momentum.
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But some college students are taking action.
Prompted by DoSomething.org's #GunsOut campaign, students are posting pictures on social media, flexing their muscles and saying, "These are the only guns I want on campus." It's an effort to spread awareness on gun safety reform, and to get their university presidents to sign an official letter DoSomething.org drafted in partnership with The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus to take a stand against allowing guns on school premises.
About 400 out of 4,500 college and university presidents have signed the letter so far, according to Finger.
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Celebrities are joining the cause, too:
Statistics show that the majority of Americans want stricter gun laws to increase safety, but due to political stalemate -- there's more risk than reward for politicians outside traditional Democratic districts to push for legislation -- little has changed.
This is important to note for a campaign like #GunsOut, which will likely inspire more grassroots advocacy, especially among youth, but may do little to effect change on the legislative level.
Still, DoSomething.org's new campaign is proof that gun safety reform is no longer just a political issue, but a social issue that everyone is invested in -- including college students.
You can find out more about the #GunsOut campaign and sign up for more information and resources about college campuses and gun safety. The campaign runs through April 7.
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Topics Gun Control Social Good Politics
