Firearm-Related Tips in a Statewide School Anonymous Reporting System

Firearm-related injuries are the leading cause of death among children and adolescents.¹ The increase in school shootings, firearm access, and carriage in schools makes firearm injury prevention within schools central to promoting youth safety.² Anonymous reporting systems (ARSs) are used by more than 50% of K-12 schools in the United States to decrease the burden of firearm injuries.³ ARSs leverage the “see-something-say-something” model, which seeks to increase citizen awareness and empowerment to report potentially dangerous items, events, and behaviors.⁴ Yet, little is known regarding the use of school-based ARSs for firearm-related concerns compared with non–firearm-related concerns, particularly when the concern may pose life-threatening risk.

Keywords: firearm, school shootings, youth safety, see something say something