Yet another mass shooting has occurred across the country, this one at Uvalde elementary school, Texas. The gunman who opened fire on Robb Elementary School, killing 19 children and 2 adults before being killed by Border Patrol agents. The attack was one of many in the recent past, with more to come. This is a common occurrence in these types of situations. The country is currently debating gun legislation that wouldn’t have stopped the travesty but real solutions are still unknown.
According to the FBI, more than 311,000 Columbine High School students were victims of gun violence after the Columbine High School shooting. The Washington Post, which also noted: “While school shootings remain rare, there were more in 2021 — 42 — than in any year since at least 1999. So far this year, there have been at least 24 acts of gun violence on K-12 campuses during the school day.”
This problem is likely to get worse given the current situation. More of America’s children could be in peril if we fail to take action.
The country often debates gun laws when a disaster like this happens, but fails to seriously consider other options that could save lives, if they are properly implemented. This is not the time for debate about gun laws. It’s the right moment to look into solutions.
America must harden its schools. Now.
There have been talks of implementing stronger security measures at schools in the wake of past events. The country must move in this direction. America’s schools should follow the examples of schools in inner cities that apply a variety of methods to minimize the risk of mass shootings.
Every school must be equipped with metal detectors. Students cannot be allowed to enter schools armed with guns or any other weapons. These devices were first used in urban areas such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York to safeguard their students. Experts have cited these devices as effective methods to protect schools from mass shootings that are more common in urban areas than they are in rural or suburban locations. It is not common to hear of school shootings at urban schools like the one in Uvalde.
Second, trained and armed security personnel are a necessity. Some schools already have security officers who are armed. Many times, they have prevented mass shootings from happening or helped to stop them. Blaine Gaskill (school resource officer) stopped Blaine Gaskill in March 2018 from killing children at Great Mills High School, Maryland. Many other similar stories exist.
Justin Nazaroff, security expert and CEO of Fenix Ammunition, told RedState, “We don’t see mass shootings happen at stadiums, federal government buildings, courthouses, airports, or any other place” where we have “a single, or very few number of, controlled ingress/egress points actively monitored by VISIBLY armed security, typically with long rifles,” and metal detectors.
Nazaroff expressed regret at the inability to have constructive discussions with the pro-gun lobby that would lead to real solutions.
“Unfortunately, the gun control movement has prevented subject matter experts in the firearms community from being able to weigh in. The gun community has failed to speak up for itself and demand that politicians allocate the resources necessary to safeguard our children. Instead, politicians are spending countless amounts on themselves to defend their kids. To push for effective action, the gun community has not stood up. [the suggestions I highlighted.] Most of ‘us’ tuck our tails between our legs and put our heads in the sand waiting for things to blow over instead of demanding that we be listened to.”
One of the most common objections to instituting more security measures is that they do not want their children’s schools to resemble prisons. That is quite understandable. It is not something that anyone would want for their child.
These strategies are used in most government buildings, which Nazaroff noted, so nobody is complaining. They don’t feel as though they are being held prisoner. That is normal. We can protect politicians and officials by going to this extent, so why not our children as well? They shouldn’t be exposed to the reckless shootings of crazy gunners.
Nation grieves every time there is a school shooting. Children are often killed in school shootings. This is why the nation calls for national action. Chattering members rush to politicize it. The solutions to the problem are never found. Then, another senseless act de violence occurs.
Schools should not be used as a soft target for criminals. The government has the ability to use metal detectors and armed security to safeguard its officials and politicians. This can be done in the places our children most often spend their time. Is this the right time to have such a conversation?
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