Putting an End to Gun Violence: It Deserves Our Full Attention

It’s hauntingly familiar: different day, different city, different school, yet the grim reality of innocent lives lost to gun violence from semi-automatic weapons remains the same. Last year in Uvlade, TX, 21 students and teachers fell victim to a lone gunman. And now, on March 27, 2023, another shooting shattered a private Christian school, adding to the growing list of schools that have suffered the same tragic fate.

When is enough, enough? According to CNN’s analysis of data from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, gun violence is the leading cause of death for children. Let that sink in a bit. Your child is more likely to die from gun violence than sickness or disease or even an accident.

It is a sobering truth that we can prevent and curb gun violence, yet those in positions of power choose to ignore the devastation it wreaks. Due to our flawed policies and laws, our children are robbed of the chance to celebrate their 10th birthday, walk across the stage at their high school graduation, or even live to see adulthood. The sad reality is that we have the means to make a difference, but the indifference of our leaders perpetuates this tragic cycle.

If our elected officials aren’t doing enough to protect our children, then we need to step up and do it. As a security professional with over 20 years of experience, I think we need to develop more proactive approaches to help keep our children safe.

We need policy changes; prayers alone will not keep our children safe.

Ensuring the safety of students in schools is a top priority for educators, administrators, and parents alike. While no security measure can guarantee 100% safety, there are several strategies and practices that can be implemented to help minimize the risk of violence and create a secure learning environment.

Here are some security measures that schools can consider:

1. Access Control: Schools can control access to their facilities by requiring visitors to show ID before they can enter a building, installing security cameras and buzzers on entrance doors. This can help limit the number of unauthorized individuals who enter the school and provide a means to track who is coming and going.
2. All schools should be assessed for security risks. Many schools need to be remodeled to have bulletproof glass and reinforced doors and entry ways, so that a potential intruder has limited access to students and the rest of the school.
3. Active Shooter Drills: Schools can conduct active shooter drills to prepare students and staff for emergencies. These drills should be conducted regularly and include a clear plan for evacuation and sheltering in place.
4. Mental Health Resources: Schools can provide mental health resources to students and staff, including access to counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. This can help identify and address potential issues before they escalate into violence.
5. Security Personnel: Schools can employ security personnel, such as school resource officers, to provide a visible and reassuring presence on campus. These personnel can also help identify and respond to potential threats.
6. Emergency Notification Systems: Schools can use emergency notification systems to quickly and effectively communicate with students, staff, and parents in the event of an emergency. These systems can include text messages, phone calls, and email alerts.
7. Technology Solutions: Schools can leverage technology to enhance their security measures, such as using video surveillance systems, metal detectors, and gunshot detection sensors.
8. Community Engagement: Schools can work with local law enforcement, community organizations, and parents to create a culture of safety and security. This can include educating students on safety and security measures, promoting positive behavior, and encouraging open communication between students, staff, and parents.

If ensuring the safety of our students requires additional funding for our schools, then we must make it a priority to find those resources. Both local and federal funding should be made available to support measures that safeguard our children. It's imperative that we prioritize the well-being of our students, and that means allocating the necessary funds to provide them with a secure learning environment.

We must provide our children the protection they need to attend school without fear.