Everytown for Gun Safety study finds active shooter drills can impact mental health

HB 147, a bill that requires schools conduct an active shooter drill near the start of each school year, goes into effect in Georgia on July 1. (Courtesy of Kyo azuma)

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 276 mass shootings in the United States this year, and at least 12 of those shootings have happened in Georgia.

This comes as a law requiring Georgia schools to conduct an active shooter drill near the start of each school year goes into effect on July 1.

On Monday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Sarah Burd-Sharps, a senior director of Research at Everytown for Gun Safety, told show host Rose Scott that her organization supports staff at schools receiving active shooter training—but there’s almost no research that supports children benefit from participating in active shooter drills.

During the conversation, Burd-Sharps talked with Scott about research that explores the mental health impact of active shooter drills on students.