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Mass shootings, violence the new normal?

Posted at 11:15 PM, Dec 03, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-03 23:15:29-05

Following Wednesday's mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, many people in Western New Yorkers are taking time to educate their kids about gun violence and what to do in an emergency.

It's also leaving many families feeling that this type of reaction is the "new normal."

"It is the new normal," said Nicole Locke, a South Buffalo mom who came to Canalside with her family to ice skate. "That's all you hear about. If you go to the mall, go on a trolley, you don't know what to expect."

Senator Chuck Schumer says we can't let this type of violent behavior become the new normal.

"This was a terrible, terrible, terrible tragedy. We can't let this become the new normal where every couple of weeks there's one of these mass shootings," Schumer said. "We can't let this divide us."

The events in San Bernardino has prompted other local moms, like Kelly White from Tonawanda to talk to her sixth grader about what to do in an active shooter emergency.

"I have been trying to teach her what to do in a situation, if she hears gunshots in the hallway (of school)" said White. "I want her to make sure she knows what to do...laying down...getting down and pretending that she's dead."

"It's scary," said Locke. "It's not like you can go out and have fun anymore. I always look to see my surroundings. We tell our kids to always know their surroundings and what's going on."