National PTA Advocates for Gun Safety and Mental Health
Services to Protect Children
National PTA urges Congress to adopt legislation that would
help prevent future tragedies from occurring while preserving the lawful use of
firearms for sport and personal protection. National PTA has a strong history
of advocating for laws and regulations in the areas of gun safety and violence
prevention and supports the following policy
recommendations:
• Require universal background checks and a license to
purchase a firearm (Position
Statement on Gun Safety and Violence Prevention, 2016).
• Re-enact a federal ban on the sale and possession of
military-style assault weapons (Position
Statement on Firearms, 1990).
• Lift any ban on research that studies the causes and
effects of gun violence (Resolution
on the Sale, Resale and Destruction of Firearms, 2017).
National PTA also advocates for preventative measures to
educate students, educators and community members on firearm safety and
violence prevention, such as:
• Inclusion of violence prevention and intervention
strategies in public schools and community programs and services (Resolution
on Violence Prevention, 1995).
• Promotion of public education campaigns to alert parents
and community members to the devastating effects of firearm-related violence (Resolution
on Firearm Safety and Awareness, 1996).
At the same time, National PTA urges federal, state and
local policymakers to prioritize mental health education, early intervention,
prevention and access to school and community-based mental health personnel and
services, so that all children can reach their fullest potential (Position
Statement on Early Identification and Interventions for Children with Mental
Health Needs, 2017).
National PTA has long been committed to providing improved
mental health programs and services to children, youth and their families and
believes that all children and youth have the right to mental health treatment.
National PTA recommends:
• Federal, state and
local policies prioritize outreach and education—including professional
development for all school-based employees—in schools and communities regarding
childhood mental health.
•
Resources are specifically provided to build mental and behavioral health
system capacity within schools and communities to ensure students can receive a
proactive continuum of behavioral and mental health services.
•
States and school districts provide the necessary resources to ensure adequate
ratios of school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers and
school nurses, who are the most qualified professionals to provide school-based
mental health services.
“Resolutions and position statements inform PTA's advocacy
efforts on behalf of kids and schools,” added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National
PTA executive director. “National PTA urges our members and all child advocates
to reach out to their members of Congress and state and local policymakers to
ensure schools and communities have the resources and capacity to provide a safer
and healthier environment for all students.”
Barb Varley
Director of
Health, Welfare, and Safety