From Evergreen to everywhere
By Eric Ladd PUBLISHER
Dear Friends,
This week, gun violence struck painfully close to home. Evergreen High School in Colorado—my alma mater, where my siblings and I made countless memories—became the latest in a growing list of schools scarred by shootings.
The sad irony of this tragedy is that many of you likely never even heard about it. National news was consumed by the shooting of Charlie Kirk—yet another prime example of the brimming violence in our society. A school shooting, once unthinkable, now struggles to break through the noise of America’s constant stream of violent headlines.
According to research by Everytown for Gun Safety, there have already been at least 91 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2025. These tragedies have left 31 people dead and 89 injured—numbers that should shake us to our core. Nationally, the picture is even more sobering: the United States has experienced 309 mass shootings so far this year, leaving more than 300 dead and over 1,300 injured.
As a new father, my perspective is sharper than ever. I imagine the parents who send their children to school with a quiet fear in their hearts, knowing that lockdown drills have become a routine part of childhood. I imagine the damage done to young minds that must practice surviving instead of simply learning. And I ask myself: Why does this keep happening, and what can we do?
This is not about red or blue—it is about red, white, and blue. It is about all of us, as Americans, recognizing that the safety of our children and the health of our communities are values that must transcend party lines.
Too often, our national debate stalls in arguments about guns, mental health and blame. But I believe we can start from one simple place of agreement: every rational American knows it is wrong for children to be shot in school. If that is our starting line, then why is the conversation so dysfunctional?
The gun debate, while absolutely important, cannot be where we place all our focus. As sad as it is, the path to resolution on that topic is proving nearly impossible. The reality is stark: America has more guns than people—over 120 firearms for every 100 residents. That deep attachment to guns means that arguing policy alone, without addressing the culture and values that drive violence, will never be enough.
Should there be a much higher bar for someone to own a gun? Yes.
It should require mandatory safety certification, psychological evaluations, comprehensive background checks, waiting periods, insurance requirements, and ongoing renewals. Just as pilots must log training hours and doctors must recertify to protect public safety, gun ownership should demand continuous proof of responsibility. Just as important, every firearm must be stored securely, with access restricted from children and other unauthorized users. No responsible society should accept a world where a curious teenager or a troubled family member can easily access a deadly weapon in the home. Access to something designed to kill should never be casual.
If guns were removed, could people still find other ways to cause destruction? Yes.
Violence is not only about the tool; it is about the mindset and the conditions that push someone to harm others. A determined person can wield a knife, a bomb, or even a vehicle as a weapon. That is why the deeper question must remain front and center: why do we feel such a need to kill one another, and why has violence become so ordinary?
So what do we do in the meantime? After all, one more child lost to violence is not acceptable. We cannot afford to wait for perfect solutions or endless political battles. Right now, communities can take practical steps:
We can invest in secure schools—not just locked doors, but thoughtful building design, entry protocols, and well-trained safety staff. No school should ever be left underfunded or under-resourced when it comes to safety, and we cannot expect our teachers to double as bodyguards. Their job is to educate, not to shield students from bullets.
We can strengthen community policing and school resource partnerships. When done with transparency and trust, these relationships deter threats before they escalate.
We can support mental health services in schools. Counselors and early interventions are often the difference between a student in crisis getting help or becoming a headline.
We can encourage parents and peers to speak up. “See something, say something” is not a cliché; it has stopped attacks before.
These steps will not end the broader epidemic of violence, but they can save lives now while we work on deeper cultural and political solutions.
Real change doesn’t have to wait for Washington, though legislation has a role. It begins at the ground level: in our homes—how we raise the next generation, teaching empathy, compassion, and resilience; in our daily interactions—how we disagree, how we speak to one another, how we model respect even in conflict; and in our communities, by creating more role models, investing in mentorship, and working together to breed civility back into neighborhoods.
And let me be clear: I will not accept the notion that violence is a partisan issue. This is not about red or blue—it is about red, white, and blue. It is about all of us, as Americans, recognizing that the safety of our children and the health of our communities are values that must transcend party lines.
What do I ask of our leaders? First, to lead with the assumption that none of them want children to be shot. Second, to rise above the toxic culture of contempt and model the civility our society desperately needs. And finally, to look past symptoms and dig into the root causes of violence itself.
But that is not enough. Leaders must come together, be role models for the country, and pass bold measures that directly address violence. This is a moment for true leaders to rise. Lobbyists must not be allowed to steer this conversation to protect an industry. This must be a collective conversation about the greater good of humanity. And those who choose not to act, who shrink from the responsibility of protecting our children and our communities, should not be welcomed back to office.
We are saturated by images of hate, fear and division. But I remain hopeful, because clarity of purpose can break through the noise. Let us unite around what is undeniably wrong, and begin the harder work of making it right.
With deep respect for the students, staff, and families of Evergreen High School, and to Charlie Kirk and his family, I close with this: when will we collectively agree that violence must stop, and instead turn our energy toward building momentum for a kinder and gentler nation?
With resolve,
Eric Ladd
Publisher and CEO
Outlaw Partners
