When Jonathan Brocco, a school administrator, got involved in gun violence prevention, it was after a mass shooting rocked his school community — one of his students had lost a brother in the 2018 Waffle House mass shooting. Sadly, soon Jonathan would be directly impacted, when his father Charlie passed from firearm suicide in February of 2019.

In the wake of that combined trauma, however, Jonathan continues to give of himself, sharing his message of the urgent need for sweeping reform. Together with hosts Kelly and JJ, Jonathan explains not only his own loss (and what he wishes everyone knew about firearm suicide) but also the emotional and practical challenges educators and administrators face as they grapple with the repercussions of school shootings. Jonathan then details how the toll of gun violence extends beyond the immediate tragedy; it's a public health crisis that leaves a ripple effect across entire communities — and what you can do to help stop it.

Further reading:
Is Arming Teachers a Solution? (This is Nashville)
How to Support Survivors and People Impacted by Gun Violence (Brady)
"Forget about Making a Hashtag, Let's Throw All the Guns in a Trash Bag" (Natrix Dream/Akilah DaSilva Foundation)
'Oh my God, not again': Mom of Waffle House shooting victim deals with other son shot(Nashville 5)
'Help Us Stop the Attacks': Educators Urge Action on Gun Violence(National Education Association)

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Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.

Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
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