Bill Overview
Title: Active Shooter Alert Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires a designated officer of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of an Active Shooter Alert Communications Network regarding an emergency involving an active shooter. The bill sets forth duties of the coordinator, including to work with state, tribal, and local governments to encourage coordination of various elements of the network. The coordinator must also encourage federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies to establish procedures for responding to active shooters. Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report on state and local responses to active shooters and situations requiring the issuance of a public alert or warning.
Sponsors: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: People worldwide who could benefit from improved active shooter alert systems
Estimated Size: 332000000
- The bill is designed to improve responses to active shooter situations by establishing a national Active Shooter Alert Communications Network.
- An improved response system targets both preventing loss of life and increasing the safety of the general public during active shooter incidents.
- Active shooter incidents are statistically more frequent in the United States compared to many other countries.
- This bill will primarily affect people living in areas where there could be potential or actual cases of active shooting, enhancing their safety through improved communication networks.
- The entire population of the United States will be positively impacted by the legislation; however, those living in higher-risk areas may experience a more direct impact.
Reasoning
- The Active Shooter Alert Act of 2022 aims to improve response times and coordination during active shooter situations, which are statistically significant threats particularly in the US.
- The policy's effects are widespread but will be especially significant in areas with higher historical incidences of gun violence or active shooter events, such as urban centers or regions with a high density of public spaces.
- Given the budget constraints of $180,000,000 in the first year and $2,005,000,000 over ten years, and the potentially broad nature of implementation across the US, the impact on individual wellbeing could vary widely.
- Not everyone will feel a direct impact from this policy in everyday life, but the potential peace of mind for families, communities, and places of public congregation can reflect in wellbeing scores.
- The policy includes coordination across various jurisdictions, so differences in effectiveness might occur based on local government engagement and infrastructure capacity.
Simulated Interviews
School Teacher (New York City, NY)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is essential as schools have been targets in the past.
- Active shooter situations are frightening, and timely alerts can make a difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Farmer (Rural Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for these alerts, but I doubt they'll change much for my daily life.
- Crime like that doesn't happen much out here, so it's not on our minds.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Police Officer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An alert system can help us act faster and allocate resources better during these crises.
- More coordination could mean a safer outcome for everyone involved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Restaurant Owner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Safety alerts could be crucial for a business owner's response plan.
- Anything that reduces risk is worth implementing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired Veteran (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen firsthand what coordinated efforts can do to prevent loss of life.
- This policy sounds like a good move to increase our preparedness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
College Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Active shooter alerts can help us make quick decisions on campus.
- I feel safer knowing there's a plan.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems relevant but more for those in riskier job environments.
- Still, knowing there's a plan for emergencies is comforting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our hospital already has protocols, but a national system sounds beneficial.
- Healthcare settings need all the preparedness they can get.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retail Worker (Portland, OR)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More alerts make us feel guarded as mall workers where crowds gather.
- Preparedness can help us stay calm if something happens.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Community Organizer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A government-coordinated alert system could be a vital tool for community safety.
- We need reliable information to keep our neighborhoods safe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $180000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $210000000)
Year 2: $180000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $210000000)
Year 3: $190000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $220000000)
Year 5: $200000000 (Low: $170000000, High: $230000000)
Year 10: $220000000 (Low: $180000000, High: $260000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- Coordination and implementation costs for the national network are uncertain and may vary depending on technological adoption rates and regional cooperation.
- The effectiveness of the network largely depends on the cooperation from state, tribal, and local governments.