Gun violence is a plague on our society. Everyone knows this sad reality. According to Omnilert, there were 346 shooting incidents on school grounds in 2023, which is a 2,200 percent increase since 2010. Firearms are now the number one cause of death for children in the United States, exceeding motor vehicle deaths. So far this year alone, there have been at least 48 mass shootings in the United States, with 81 killed and 165 wounded, according to the Gun Violence Archive. In a mass shooter situation, once the shooter opens fire a person is shot every 15 seconds. Absolutely every second counts when these scenarios occur. Our communities need to be aware of what tools are available to protect America’s public spaces.