Enough is Enough: House District 87 Calls for Stronger Gun Safety Laws

Enough is Enough: House District 87 Calls for Stronger Gun Safety Measures and School Security

By Representative Viola Davis (House District 87)

Gun violence has become an epidemic that breaches our homes, schools, and communities. As your State Representative, I stand with Rep. Sandra Scott and others in demanding swift action to protect our children. This issue requires the attention and collective effort of every parent, family member, taxpayer, and voter in House District 87 and throughout the state of Georgia.

Rep. Sandra Scott recently highlighted crucial legislation addressing the pressing issues of gun violence and mental health. As a co-sponsor on many of these bills, I am deeply committed to ensuring that we take every necessary step to safeguard our children. Gun violence and mental health crises are not isolated incidents; they are systemic problems that demand comprehensive, common-sense legislation. We must recognize that schools should be sanctuaries for learning, not places where children and teachers fear for their lives.

The legislation outlined by Rep. Scott targets multiple aspects of gun violence prevention and mental health support:

1. House Bill 4: Establishes a real-time electronic inpatient bed registry to ensure the availability of mental health resources during crises.

2. House Bill 553: Implements risk protection orders to prevent individuals deemed a threat from accessing firearms.

3. House Bill 224: Mandates the reporting of lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement within five days.

4. House Bill 366: Requires gun owners to secure their firearms to prevent unauthorized access.

5. House Bill 554: Prohibits the sale of semiautomatic assault weapons to individuals under 21.

6. House Bill 555: Bans devices that enable rapid fire on firearms.

7. House Resolution 56: Acknowledges gun violence as a public health crisis, calling for data-driven legislation.

8. House Bill 7: Establishes a school-linked behavioral health grant program.

9. House Bill 8: Adjusts school attendance policies to consider mental and behavioral health.

In addition to these efforts, I want to bring attention to House Bill 899, the School Violence Reduction and Safety Act. This bill aimed to address school security by identifying a need for over $103 million in funding. However, this was not enough, and we still have a long way to go. Our children deserve safe learning environments, and it is our duty to ensure that every school has the resources and support needed to prevent violence.

Now is the time for the Georgia General Assembly to step up and address our failing gun laws and school security measures with urgency. We cannot do this alone. I am calling on every member of our community—parents, family members, friends, taxpayers, and voters—to demand more action and legislation to protect our children. Your voice is crucial in this fight. Reach out to your local representatives, participate in community discussions, and advocate for the safety and well-being of our children.

Enough is enough. Our children’s lives depend on the actions we take today. Let’s work together to create a safer future for all.

Rep. Viola Davis

Georgia House District 87

Representative Sandra Scott’s Article: Enough is Enough: It’s Time for Action on Gun Violence and Mental Health - https://house-press.com/enough...