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Luis D. Aponte (he/him) is a librarian, U.S. Air Force veteran, and the author of four new books and eBooks on school shootings: A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting and The Ultimate U.S. School Shooting Reference Guide, Volumes 1-3. After seven years analyzing 1,204 incidents, he delivers nonpartisan, evidence-based strategies to help parents, educators, and communities create safer schools and prevent future tragedies.

Luis D. Aponte (he/him) is a librarian, U.S. Air Force veteran, and author of four influential books on school shootings, including A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting and The Ultimate U.S. School Shooting Reference Guide, Volumes 1-3. An alumnus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School—the site of Florida’s deadliest school shooting in 2018—Aponte turned his community's tragedy into a mission to prevent future violence. Over seven years, he analyzed 1,204 school shootings spanning three decades, uncovering patterns and evidence-based strategies to save lives. His work has appeared in the EDUCATION peer-reviewed journal and in Virginia-based newspapers. His books serve as vital resources for parents, educators, policymakers, and community leaders. With a master’s degree in Library and Information Science, Aponte blends academic rigor and personal conviction to inspire safer schools and stronger communities. His work serves as a powerful call to action, urging communities to unite around nonpartisan, evidence-based solutions to end the epidemic of school gun violence.

 A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting by Luis D. Aponte offers hope and fact-based solutions from over 1,200 school shootings—uniting parents, educators, and communities to create safe, supportive environments where every child feels protected and can thrive.

 A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting by Luis D. Aponte is a powerful call to action, offering practical, nonpartisan solutions to address school gun violence. Based on seven years of research into 1,204 U.S. school shootings, Aponte uncovers key patterns and challenges misconceptions, emphasizing emotional intelligence, responsible gun ownership, and community involvement. With actionable strategies like panic button systems, threat assessment teams, and consistent security measures, this book empowers communities to work together to protect children and educators from future tragedies. 

 A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting by Luis D. Aponte is a meticulously researched and deeply personal exploration of school gun violence in the United States. Drawing from 30 years of data across 1,204 incidents, the book uncovers patterns and misconceptions surrounding school shootings, offering actionable, nonpartisan solutions for communities to prevent future tragedies. ​Aponte challenges common perceptions, revealing that arguments, feuds, and criminal activity—not mental illness or bullying—are the leading causes of school shootings. ​He emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, responsible gun ownership, and community involvement, while advocating for measures like threat assessment teams, panic button systems, and consistent use of metal detectors. The book also highlights the critical role of parents, educators, and students in fostering safer school environments. With compassion and urgency, Aponte provides a roadmap for communities to work together to protect children and educators from the devastating threat of gun violence. 

A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting by Luis D. Aponte is a groundbreaking and deeply personal exploration of one of America’s most urgent crises: school gun violence. Drawing from seven years of meticulous research into 1,204 U.S. school shootings spanning three decades, Aponte—a librarian and U.S. Air Force veteran—offers a fact-based, nonpartisan roadmap to protect children and educators. ​ 

This book goes beyond headlines, uncovering the overlooked patterns and root causes of school shootings. ​Aponte debunks common myths, revealing that arguments, feuds, and unresolved conflicts—not mental illness or video games—are the leading triggers of these tragedies. ​He advocates for teaching emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and gun safety to children as essential tools for prevention. 

Packed with actionable solutions, A Safe Placeoutlines practical measures that communities can implement without waiting for Congress. From consistent use of metal detectors and armed resource officers to panic button systems like Alyssa’s Law, Aponte emphasizes strategies that save lives. He also highlights the importance of community-based programs, such as tips from Stand for the Silent and Community Violence Intervention initiatives, which foster safer schools and neighborhoods. ​ 

Through compelling narratives, Aponte honors the resilience of parents like Lori Alhadeff and Kirk Smalley, who turned personal tragedies into powerful movements for change. He also shares his own harrowing experiences with gun violence, adding a deeply human perspective to his research. 

This book is not just a guide—it’s a heartfelt plea for unity and action. Aponte challenges readers to join the fight against school gun violence, reminding us that every child deserves to grow up in peace. A Safe Place is a vital resource for parents, educators, and community leaders committed to creating safe havens for learning and growth.