District 87 launches gun safety campaign

Posted on September 22, 2022

*Wednesday night, the school board unanimously approved a ‘secure storage notification’ resolution. It’s a part of the national “Be Smart” gun safety campaign. (WJBC file photo)*

BLOOMINGTON – District 87 is working to keep its students safer this year when it comes to guns.

The district will remind parents of their legal obligation regarding storing guns at home.

Wednesday night, the school board unanimously approved a ‘secure storage notification’ resolution. It’s a part of the national “Be Smart” gun safety campaign.

Locking up firearms is already required in Illinois, so the goal is to further notify parents in the student handbook.

Last year, a Bloomington High School student brought a loaded gun to school and was sentenced to juvenile prison, however Superintendent David Mouser says that incident was not a factor in the district’s decision to join the national campaign.

“It’s not a gun control campaign. It’s really about an awareness to make sure we’re doing everything we can to keep firearms that are at home – which are often involved in accidental shootings with young people – stored properly,” said Mouser.

According to the district, “The U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center recommends the importance of appropriate storage of weapons because 76% of school shooters used firearms acquired from the homes of parents or close relatives.”

The school also implemented a new campus program this year called ‘SpeakUp for Safety’. Students can anonymously text or email concerns to staff.

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