Texas School Shooting: Buffalo Grove Leaders React To Tragedy

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Americans across the nation are learning new details about the latest mass shooting, this time at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. On Tuesday, a gunman barricaded himself inside a classroom at Robb Elementary School and killed 19 children and two teachers.

Meanwhile, local leaders and officials are reacting to the tragic news and looking for ways to prevent future violence, especially at area schools.

"This is a terrible tragedy that happened in Uvalde, Texas. Something must be done to put an end to this and now," Buffalo Grove Village President Beverly Sussman told Patch via an email. "School used to be the safest place to send your children. Very sadly, not anymore."

Sussman believes gun laws must be changed to regulate the sale of guns in the United States because the "problem only exists here."

The gunman, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, recently bought two rifles from a local licensed seller, one on May 17 and one on May 20, along with 375 rounds of ammunition on May 18, according to a briefing obtained by the Austin American-Statesman.

"Funds must be provided to come up with ways to keep our schools safe. And it's more than being given a locked door at the front of the building to sign in or one guard at the front door," Sussman said. "The time is now to save our childrens' lives and our teachers' lives. Schools are closing now for vacation. Let's make sure they are ready to open in August and September with a plan that works to keep our loved ones safe."

RELATED: Texas School Shooting: Gunman Killed 19 Kids, 2 Teachers In Same Class

"Our hearts go out to the victims and their families of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Every child deserves to learn in a safe environment," Township High School District 214 said in a social media post. "Every parent shouldn’t worry if their child will come home from school every day. We mourn with everyone affected by this senseless act of violence."

According to the District 214 handbook for students and parents, any student who brings a firearm (gun, rifle, shotgun) to school, any school-sponsored activity or event, "shall be expelled for a period of at least one calendar year, but not more than two calendar years."

This policy’s prohibitions concerning weapons apply regardless of whether: (1) a student is licensed to carry a concealed firearm, or (2) the Board permits visitors, who are licensed to carry a concealed firearm, to store a firearm in a locked vehicle in a school parking area.

According to the handbook, during the school day, all visitors to District 214 school property are required to report to the security checkpoint and receive permission to remain on school property. Visitors must sign a visitors’ log, show identification, and wear a visitor’s badge. Persons on school property without permission will be directed to leave and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

“Just last week, we grieved the tragic loss of life in Buffalo. Today, we mourn yet another senseless school shooting and the deaths of students and educators," Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery said. "There are no words to help the families through this tragedy. The unimaginable continues to happen in our schools where teachers, students, and parents should feel safe."

RELATED: Texas School Shooting: What We Know About Uvalde Victims