To the editor:

Last week hundreds of students walked out of Barrington High School for a thirty-minute peaceful protest. What were we protesting? Our government’s inability to take legislative action on gun violence prevention. We had a moment of silence to mourn the loss of those lives lost in Uvalde and Buffalo. Students talked about the fear and anxiety they felt when BHS was shut down because of a possible gun violence threat. One student talked about their own experience as a survivor. 

In March, I testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting for my support of five gun safety bills. These bills would limit high capacity magazines, ban military-style assault weapons, strengthen gun storage laws, raise the age to 21 years for the lawful sale of long guns and prohibit the open carry of loaded long guns or rifles in public places. 

Since March, these bills have sat in committee, but they cannot wait any longer. Please call your Senator and Representative, specifically Senator Coyne who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, and ask them to make these bills their top priority. 

Also, any student who wants to get more involved in gun violence prevention should text STUDENTS to 64433 to join Students Demand Action.

Henry Schultz

Barrington

Henry Schultz is a student at Barrington High School.