Many studies have shown that the 21st century has encompassed the deadliest school shootings nationwide. It has also been proven that as time goes by, every single year tops the previous year not only in the number of shootings, but also in the number of fatalities. While the definition of a “school shooting” varies greatly, COVID-19 has had a lasting impact on every single life that could have been put at risk. 

A mass shooting is defined as an event in which four or more people are shot. March 2020 made history as the first March since 2002 to not have a mass school shooting. In 2018, there were at least 35 incidents of mass school shootings. In 2019, there were at least 43 incidents of mass school shootings. In 2020, there were about 21 incidents of mass school shootings.

Although COVID-19 has taken the lives of over 400,000 Americans, the plummeting number of mass school shootings leaves many hopeful. With around 2.7 million students across the country attending school virtually, students experience less social interaction and less bullying. Bullying is one of the most common issues many school shooters suffer with. 

By having students attend school virtually, the number of lives put at risk has greatly decreased. The idea that students had to be removed from schools to avoid mass school shootings shows how urgent the need for national gun reform is in today’s society.