The School Counselor and School-Related Gun Violence Prevention and Response

(Adopted 2018; revised, 2019, 2025)

ASCA Position

School counselors design, deliver and assess a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes a safe school environment vital to the success of each and every student. School counselors collaborate with school staff and community partners to promote school environments free from gun violence and threats of gun violence and are responsive to student needs in the event of gun violence or threats of gun violence. 

The Rationale

Gun violence is the leading cause of premature death among children and teens ages 0–19 in the United States (CDC, 2024). In 2023, 9% of high school students were threatened or injured with a weapon, such as a gun, knife or club, on school property during the past year (YRBSS, 2023). From 2013 through 2022, 720 incidents of gunfire were identified on school grounds. Additionally, the shooters were either current or former students in approximately 75% of the incidents (Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, n.d.). 
 
School-related gun violence has detrimental effects on students, school personnel and the overall community. Students who experience gun violence face significant challenges with academic achievement, physical health and social/emotional development. They are at an increased risk for developing depression, anxiety, substance abuse and violent behaviors. Furthermore, when students experience gun violence in schools, they are left traumatized and feel unsafe and vulnerable. These outcomes are detrimental for students, as they must feel safe within their school environments to learn and thrive (Paolini, 2020; Everytown, 2019). 

The School Counselor's Role

As leaders and advocates of safe-school initiatives, school counselors are uniquely positioned within schools to assist with developing preventive and proactive school policies and procedures (Wachter Morris et al., 2021). They are a vital resource in the creation, development and implementation of best-practice strategies designed to improve school climate, fostering connection, support and collaboration for each and every student (Ellington et al., 2023). 
 
To promote a safe school environment free of gun violence and threats of gun violence, school counselors:  
  • Facilitate classroom instruction, individual and small-group counseling focused on positive social/emotional development (Paolini, 2020). 
  • Conduct schoolwide programs to promote a safe and inclusive school environment fostering a sense of belonging for each and every student (Paolini, 2020). 
  • Identify students who are at risk for gun violence (Paolini, 2020; Ellington et al., 2023). 
  • Assist students at risk by collaborating with families and other school personnel. 
  • Provide students with a way to make anonymous reports when concerns arise (Paolini, 2020). 
  • Implement bullying prevention and intervention efforts (Paolini, 2020). 
  • Collaborate with families and other education partners to make referrals as needed (Paolini, 2020; Ellington, et al. (2023). 
  • Participate as a member of the school’s multidisciplinary threat assessment team of school personnel, including faculty, staff, administrators, coaches, and available school resource officers (Stone, 2022; Paolini, 2020). 
  • Educate the school community and families about gun violence and warning signs for students at risk (Paolini, 2020). 
  • Encourage students, families and school personnel to monitor themselves for warning signs or concerns (Ellington, et.al., 2023). 
  • Encourage family involvement to support students at home and at school.
  • Communicate with parents/guardians to determine if students have out-of-school mental health support, and seek permission to collaborate accordingly (Ellington, et.al., 2023). 
  • Advocate for manageable caseloads so each and every student can receive appropriate attention and support.
  • Review the school’s crisis plan to understand the school counselor’s role 
  • Integrate a continuum of mental health supports within a multi-tiered system of support (Ellington, et al. 2023). 
  • Use surveys to gather information about safety concerns and feelings about overall safety (Paolini, 2020; Ellington et. al., 2023). 
School counselors are encouraged to advocate and oppose any efforts to arm educators, including teachers, school counselors and administrators. Research has revealed that arming school personnel elicits several concerns, such as the negative impact on school climate, school staff’s lack of training and the danger associated with an accidental discharge of one’s weapon (Everytown for Gun Safety, 2024). 

Summary

Through the implementation of a school counseling program, school counselors promote school safety to create an environment where each and every student succeeds. School counselors work collaboratively with school and community partners in an effort to prevent and respond to both threats of gun violence and incidents of gun violence.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024, December 16). Preventing firearm violence and injuries impacting children and teens. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/firearm-violence/php/research-summaries/children-and-teen-impacts.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Youth risk behavior survey data summary & trends report: 2013–2023. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
 
Ellington, B., Dunbar, A., & Watcher-Morris, C.(2023). Elevating and expanding school counselors’ poles and voices in the prevention of school violence. Professional School Counseling, 27(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X221150003
 
EveryTown. (2019). The impact of gun violence on children and teens. Retrieved from https://everytownresearch.org/impact-gun-violence-american-childrenteens/#foot_note_16
 
Everytown for Gun Safety. (2024). Arming teachers introduces risks, not solutions. Everytown Research & Policy. https://everytownresearch.org/report/arming-teachers-risks/
 
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. (n.d.). How can we prevent gun violence in schools? Everytown Research & Policy. Retrieved March 2024], from https://everytownresearch.org/report/how-can-we-prevent-gun-violence-in-schools/
 
Paolini, A. C. (2020). Reducing Gun Violence in Schools: A School Counselor's Role. Journal of school counseling, 18(12), n12.
 
Stone, C. (2022). School counselors’ role in threat assessments. ASCA School Counselor Magazine, 59(4), 10-15.
 
Wachter Morris, C. A., Wester, K. L., Jones, C. T., & Fantahun, S. (2021). School counselors and unified educator–counselor identity: A data-informed approach to suicide prevention. Professional School Counseling, 24(1_part_3), 201. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X211011909