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Fairfax County Public Schools is strengthening security across its campuses while urging families to help prevent children from accessing firearms at home.

In a Sept. 25, 2025, community message, Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid said the renewed appeal comes amid another period of intense gun violence affecting schools and communities nationwide.

FCPS is continuing to introduce weapons-screening systems at secondary schools as part of a layered safety strategy. Other measures include threat assessments, staff training and drills, enhanced response technology, locked doors, secure entrance vestibules, coordination with county law enforcement and school resource officers.

Reid emphasized that prevention also extends into homes and neighborhoods. According to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Prevention, 4.6 million young people nationwide live in homes containing at least one loaded and unlocked firearm. Its research also found that 79% of firearm suicides involving people younger than 18 used a gun belonging to a family member.

Gun-safety lessons are included in the FCPS curriculum. Younger students are taught to leave a firearm untouched, move away from it and notify an adult. Older students learn about the consequences of gun violence, community responsibility and nonviolent ways to resolve conflicts.

Reid asked parents and guardians to reinforce those lessons through conversations at home and secure firearm storage. Virginia law requires gun owners to keep firearms in places where children are unlikely to gain access.

Fairfax County offers free locks for firearms and medications. Additional secure-storage guidance is available through the U.S. Department of Justice and FCPS gun-violence prevention resources.