School Committee

Secure Gun Storage Resolution

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Newburyport School Committee on this 21st day of March 2022.

Newburyport Public School District is committed to empowering all students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, creators and innovators who advocate for themselves, our community, our nation and our world. We value a safe, inclusive school climate where every student can be their best self. While we work on all areas of safety, this resolution has a particular focus on gun violence prevention through the leadership of the district, information sharing, empowerment, and education of our school community.

The Newburyport Public School District is aware of the statistics surrounding gun violence in the US and the research that proves secure gun storage reduces firearm injuries among our youth.

Whereas, The U.S. Secret Service National 'Threat Assessment Center recommends the importance of appropriate storage of weapons because many school attackers used firearms acquired from their homes;

Whereas, Keeping students, teachers and staff safe from the threat of gun violence should be the responsibility of all adult stakeholders at each of our school sites;

Whereas, Across the country, lawmakers, community members, and local leaders are working together to implement public awareness campaigns,

Whereas, State law requires adults to securely store their firearms;

Whereas, In order to continue with preventive measures to increase student and school safety we must act now; now therefore, be it: Resolved, 'That the School Committee and the Superintendent will continue to work with local law enforcement and health agencies, as well as non-profit organizations to collaborate and increase efforts to inform District parents and guardians of their obligations regarding secure storage of firearms in their homes.