Graduation is a rite of passage, a moment of triumph. For the Sandy Hook class of 2024, it’s a reminder of a national failure.

Their journey began in tragedy. Twenty first graders lost in a shooting that scarred the nation.

We vowed “Never again.” Yet, school shootings have increased, not decreased.

Since Sandy Hook, nearly 95 school shootings have occurred. Each one a failure to act.

These graduates have lived their entire school lives under the shadow of gun violence. Lockdown drills became as routine as fire drills.

The NRA and its allies have spent over $54 million lobbying against gun control. Congress has debated, but meaningful legislation remains aspirational at best.

The graduates of Sandy Hook symbolize resilience. But they shouldn’t have to.

In 2023 alone, there were 51 school shootings. That’s nearly one per week.

Gun control measures in other nations show progress is possible. In 1996, Australia passed the National Firearms Agreement following a mass shooting in Port Arthur left 35 dead and 23 wounded. The massacre resulted in buyback programs, beefed up background checks, and tighter regulations on assault rifles.

The nation has not seen a mass shooting since. Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Canada — virtually every nation in the advanced West — have similar laws on the books. And, to the last, mass shootings are rare.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is seeing a revival of The Proud Boys, the slack-jawed gun-toting yokels who led the Jan. 6 insurrection.

As these students move forward, they carry the weight of lost classmates. A burden no child should bear.

The Parkland survivors spoke out, and Congress still did nothing.

This graduation should be a beacon of change. Instead, it’s a stark reminder of promises unkept.

America’s children deserve better. Their safety should be non-negotiable.