School shootings have become increasingly common in the US, with one occurring about once every two weeks in the last few years. In 2024, there were 39 school shootings nationwide in which at least one person was killed or injured—and three of these incidents occurred in California. Today, most Californians, and even more public school parents, express concern about the possibility of a mass shooting in their local schools. Majorities across regions and demographic groups support having armed police officers on duty when schools are in session.

In our April PPIC Statewide Survey, seven in ten Californians were very (36%) or somewhat concerned (36%) about the threat of a mass shooting in their local public schools. Public school parents expressed even higher levels of concern (46% very concerned, 35% somewhat concerned). Worries about school shootings have been high since we first asked this question in April 2018. Since then, at least two in three Californians and three in four public school parents have expressed concern about school shootings in their area.

Today, six in ten or more Californians across regions and demographic groups worry about school shootings. Regionally, residents in the Inland Empire are the most likely to be concerned, followed by those in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Valley, and Orange/San Diego. Concern is somewhat higher among Latinos and Asian Americans than among African Americans and whites. In addition, women are more likely to be concerned than men. While majorities of partisans express concern, politics do seem to play a role. Eight in ten Democrats (83%) and seven in ten independents (70%) are concerned, compared to just over half of Republicans (53%).

When asked about having armed police officers on duty while schools are in session, 71% of Californians support the idea (35% strongly support, 36% somewhat support), and 76% of public school parents are in favor (47% strongly support, 29% somewhat support).

Majorities across regions and demographic groups are in favor of armed police officers in schools. Regionally, support is highest in the Inland Empire and lowest in the San Francisco Bay Area. Across racial/ethnic groups, eight in ten Latinos express support, compared to about two in three African Americans and whites and six in ten Asian Americans. Despite differences in concern about school shootings across gender, seven in ten men and women are in favor of armed police officers in schools. Majorities across partisan lines support the idea, with Republicans (86%) and independents (74%) more likely to be in favor than Democrats (62%). Notably, there is a sharp decline in support with rising educational attainment: 81% of Californians with a high school diploma or less support the idea, compared to 74% of those with some college and 57% of college graduates.

There is a link between concern about a school shooting and support for armed police officers in schools. Among those who are concerned, 75% support this policy. Still, even among those who do not express concern about a school shooting, a majority (61%) support armed police officers in schools. There are also differences in views among Californians with guns, rifles, or pistols in their home and those without. Those who have a firearm at home are less concerned about a mass shooting than those without a firearm at home (64% vs. 75%) and more supportive of armed police in schools (81% vs. 68%).

As the end of the school year approaches, some legislators have put forth Assembly Bill 38, which would require a school district or charter school to hire or contract with at least one armed school resource officer. While Californians seem supportive of the idea, a similar measure (Assembly Bill 3038) failed in committee last session. As the country grapples with school shootings and policymakers consider ways to respond, PPIC will continue to track Californians’ views on this critical topic.