Student activists of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence (RICAGV) led a rally this week to organize and celebrate work the group has done to engage students. I admire our youth fighting for a better future. However, their need to take leadership is because they’re not confident that policymakers will do the same. Our youth should not need to fight so hard to prevent gun violence in schools.

The General Assembly had the chance to pass the Safe Schools Act during the 2018 Legislative Session. According to RICAGV research, 83 percent of Rhode Islanders support restricting concealed weapons in schools. The Safe Schools Act is legislation that makes sense, is supported by teachers and is the right thing to do for public health. I will continue to work in support of this legislation to assure our youth know that we’re with them and we value their safety

Liana Cassar, MPH, MBA

Barrington 

Ms. Cassar is a Democrat running for the House of Representatives, District 66.