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In Your StateArkansas

In Your State

Arkansas

Arkansas has had at least 40 mass shootings since 2020 and guns are the number one leading cause of death of children. Lawmakers must do more to keep kids safe from gun violence. Learn more about what you can do to help in your state and community.

Take Action Now

Join us right now and urge your representatives to make Arkansas safer by passing Federal School Violence Prevention Laws.

Arkansas had the

7th

highest firearm death rate in the U.S.

Gun fire was the

#1st

leading cause of death for Arkansas children.

Data from the last reported year. See sources.

Arkansas had the

7th

highest firearm death rate in the U.S.

Gun fire was the

#1st

leading cause of death for Arkansas children.

Take Action Now

Join us right now and urge your representatives to make Arkansas safer by passing Federal School Violence Prevention Laws.

Increase School Violence Prevention

After the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida, bipartisan legislators from both sides of the aisle came together to prevent school shootings by passing the STOP School Violence Act. It supports and funds lifesaving violence prevention programs. Because of this law, students around the country have access to no-cost suicide prevention and violence prevention training. If STOP has helped your community, please share your story here.

Every year, Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund asks Congress to continue funding this program. Without the STOP School Violence Act, more children are at risk. You can help make sure your elected officials support school safety.

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45

children died by gun fire.

394

Arkansans died by suicide with a firearm.

6

mass shootings.

Data from the last reported year. See sources.

Mass Shooting in Arkansas

The mass school shooting at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro remains one of the most shocking incidents in the history of Arkansas. The shooters, aged 11 and 13 years old at the time, killed four little girls and a teacher as they were evacuating for a fire drill.

Learn more about the incident and how the community honors the victims

Gun Laws in Arkansas

Enhanced background checks
Restricts semi-automatic rifles
Secure storage
Temporary transfer

Our Impact in Arkansas

Throughout Arkansas, Sandy Hook Promise has engaged youth & adults in our mission and prevention programs.

55k

Supporters in the state

85

Volunteer Promise Leaders who help raise awareness & engage communities

56k

Program participants, including repeats, in 146 schools

261

Students involved in 11 SAVE Promise Clubs throughout the state

Prevent gun violence in Arkansas

You can help make Arkansas a safe place for kids and for your whole community. We urge the legislature to pass proven policy solutions, including emergency temporary transfer, secure storage, and closing the stranger-to-stranger loophole to prevent gun violence and tragedy. These policies keep the public safe from harm while protecting individual rights.

State Issue

Everyone experiences temporary moments of crisis. When that crisis is combined with a firearm, the outcomes can be deadly. Temporary transfer supports gun owners in crisis while protecting their rights and gets them help before things turn tragic.
Take Action
State Issue

A deadly loophole allows guns to be sold between a seller and a buyer who don’t know each other – and no background check is required. Arkansas can close this “stranger-to-stranger” loophole and expand background checks to prevent dangerous people from buying guns.
Take Action
State Issue

Too often, children accidentally find firearms in their home. This can lead to the death of themselves and family members. Secure storage laws can prevent these tragedies and make it easier for gun owners to keep firearms away from their young sons and daughters.
Take Action
Mark Barden
“We are proud to work with the bipartisan champions to ensure we're doing everything we can to protect our kids and that millions more students will be trained to know the signs of violence and act to save lives. Our work does not end here, we will continue to bring our prevention programs to schools and communities across the country and advocate for life-saving policies.”
Mark BardenSandy Hook Promise Co-Founder and Co-CEO

News and Resources

Stay informed about current issues and stories about preventing gun violence and promoting school safety.

Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Ohio Festival ShootingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mass Shooting in IowaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Youth-Involved Shootings in Several U.S. CitiesRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Thanks House Appropriators for Approving Increased STOP FundingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Weekend Mass Shootings in Texas and OklahomaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Applauds Increased Federal Budget to Strengthen School SafetyRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Action Fund Responds to Federal Gun Policy ChangesRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on the Murder of Eight Children in Shreveport, LouisianaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Action Fund Applauds Kansas Legislature for Unanimously Passing the Students Safe at School ActRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Bulverde, Texas School ShootingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Meta and YouTube Being Held Liable for Social Media AddictionRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Shooting at Old Dominion UniversityRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on the Verdict and Warning Signs Revealed in the Trial of the Apalachee High School Shooter’s FatherRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mass Shooting in Austin, TexasRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Six Killed in Two Connected Florida ShootingsRead More
Press ReleaseNew Report Calls for Platform Transparency to Support Family Conversations About Firearm Content OnlineRead More
Press ReleaseFear and Disruption in Schools: Sandy Hook Promise Calls for Safe, Trusting Learning EnvironmentsRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Applauds Bipartisan Senate Passage to Advance Federal Funding for Safer SchoolsRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mississippi Mass Shooting SpreeRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Applauds Bipartisan Leadership in the House to Advance Federal Funding for Safer SchoolsRead More

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