Georgia politicians disagree on how to make schools 'safe' in wake of shooting

After a shooting at Apalachee High School took the lives of four earlier this week, Georgia politicians have divided over what policies should be enacted to prevent more school shootings.

With the 14-year-old shooter in jail and set to be charged as an adult, a small Georgia community outside Atlanta mourns the loss of two students and two teachers. Seven other people – six students and a teacher – were also shot.

Lawmakers in the state responded quickly to news of the shooting, some with calls for unity.

“I am praying for all of Barrow County today as we mourn the lives lost and those impacted by a senseless act of violence at Apalachee High School,” said U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican. “Unity, not division, is how we combat those who wish us harm. Together, we are strong.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams said politics should not be the focus in the aftermath of the shooting.

“Protecting children shouldn’t be a political issue. ENOUGH,” she posted to social media.

The calls for unity gave way to politicians taking party-line stances on how the state and nation should move forward. While both Republicans and Democrats are focused on how to make schools safe, they have very different solutions.

“No child, parent or student body should have to experience this tragedy. We must do better. We must make schools a safe space,” said U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Democrat.

Democrats called for an end to the violence by moving forward with gun control measures, a sentiment that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have echoed in statements since the shooting.

Just hours after her first statement, Williams posted, “No parent, teacher, or child should have to live this way. We cannot continue to allow this to happen to our children ... gun violence is a policy choice.”

“Today's events underscore the need to prevent gun violence, end mass shootings, and save lives,” U.S. Rep. David Scott added.

Republicans are calling for more security in schools, even calling out past gun control measures from Democrats as ineffective.

“When I was in high school, then-Senator Joe Biden was responsible for gun free school zones, but a student still brought guns to my school and we were put on lock down,” said U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. “We should be protecting our kids the same way Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and so many of our politicians are protected every single day. We need more good guys with guns and to protect our Second Amendment.”

Rep. Rich McCormick echoed this sentiment on social media.

“I am furious that we still have not fixed this issue,” he said. “It’s simple, our children should be as safe at a government school as anyone is at the bank, airport, or as I am at the U.S. capitol. It’s time to protect and defend our children.”