I oppose this bill. It places yet another burden on already overtaxed school divisions to address issues entirely outside of their control and purview. Let firearms dealers and pharmacies share this information with families and leave schools alone to fulfill their core responsibility - teaching academics. Children have families, and families are well-equipped to make the decisions pertinent to their own homes. Please vote no on this legislation.

I support this bill because access to unsecured firearms also contributes to gun violence among children and teens.

My name is Sara Pluchino and I support this bill as a Moms Demand Action volunteer as well as a former elementary school teacher of 10 years and a mother of a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old who is about to enter Virginia public schools. As a parent, I would like to know that my school board is required to do everything in their power to prevent students from gaining access to a weapon (or substance) that could cause significant harm to themselves or others. This bill has the potential to save lives by prompting parents who may not have otherwise thought of it or who were not aware of the legal obligation to safely secure their firearms and ensure that their child cannot access them. With gun violence being the leading cause of death among children in the United States- a fact that should never cease to be shocking, heartbreaking and terrifying to each of us, no matter how many times we hear it- educating as many people as we possibly can about secure storage is absolutely crucial.

As a mother and retired educator, I support Delegate Cohen's bill. We must do everything in our power to keep children and their teachers safe from gun violence. Safe storage at home is one simple and reliable way to do so. Delegate Cohen's measure is just one more practical and common-sense step in that process.