Posted:
Friday, December 13, 2024
A Message from Linda Waldbaum Newsletter Editor
For the last 20 or so years, school administrators, board members, teachers and the community at large have been implementing policies and procedures to make schools safer. In the aftermath of the 1999 Columbine school shooting in Colorado, schools now conduct lockdown drills several times a year in an effort to minimize injuries and fatalities in the event of an active shooter incident. More recently, school districts, like Plainedge, have increased school safety by implementing single entry points, automatic door locks on classrooms, and surveillance cameras. Within the last 2-3 years, discussions of placing armed security guards on school campuses has become a hot topic of debate. Proponents claim that the presence of armed guards will deter potential shooters from targeting the school. The argument being that if the shooter is looking to do harm, he or she may be neutralized by the armed officers before accomplishing his or her intended task. Therefore, shooters will not target schools with armed officers.
Moreover, those in favor of armed security on school campus believe that if a shooter were to enter the campus, the armed officer would be able to neutralize the threat, thereby saving lives. A 2022 Pew survey shows a third of parents with school-aged kids are very worried about gun violence at their child’s school. In addition, the survey found that roughly half of U.S. parents think armed security in schools is an effective response. However, the other half of those surveyed disagree with this philosophy. They claim having armed officers on campus increases the risk of unintended injuries and deaths. Additionally, they site the research that states the majority of mass shooters are suicidal. The presence of armed officers may actually entice a shooter to target the school knowing the armed officer will shoot at the intruder.
The debate over the presence of armed security officers in schools continues to be a contentious issue, particularly as school shootings remain a persistent threat. Again, while some argue that armed officers can deter or neutralize active shooters, research presents a more complex picture of their effectiveness. The following information examines various peer reviewed studies that address the question: Do armed security officers on school campuses make students safer?
- A 2013 study conducted by the FBI analyzed 160 active shooter incidents. It found that most attacks are carried out in a matter of minutes, making it difficult for armed guards to be in the right place at the right time. Two notable school shootings that occurred in 2018 reinforce this data - Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida (17 killed and 17 injured) and Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas (10 people killed and 13 injured). Both schools had armed security on campus, but the armed officers were unable to neutralize the attacker to spare lives.
- JAMA Network Research published a study in early 2021 that looked at gun violence in K-12 schools from 1980-2019. They evaluated 133 school shootings over this 40-year period examining the association between the presence of an armed officer on scene and the severity of shootings in K-12 schools. This study uncovered some interesting findings. Armed guards were present on campus in 24% of the shootings. The data not only showed no significant reduction rates of injuries in these schools; in fact, it showed death rates were 2.83 times higher in schools with armed security. This data supports the claim of those who oppose armed security officers.
- The Associated Press reported that there were more than 30 incidents of negligent discharge or loss of weapon control at schools between 2014 and 2018 involving a teacher or law enforcement officer (Foley and Fenn, 2018). However, during a comparable time period, there were only 20 active-shooter attacks at schools (Cai and Patel, 2019). These findings shed light on an overlooked point: Inherently, there is an increased risk to the entire school population when guns are present on campus. The research shows that it makes no difference why a gun is on campus; the mere presence of a gun makes students less safe. Furthermore, the JAMA data, the Foley and Fenn research (2018), and the Cai and Patel study (2019) clearly show armed officers create a greater threat to student safety than the possibility of an active shooter.
- While there may be several explanations for why this is the case, it is important to approach any decision about bringing armed security on to school campuses with extreme caution. While armed security officers may give a perceived sense of safety, the data shows the reality of safety is in fact diminished. While the increase in mass shootings in K-12 schools across the country instills fear; we must not merely react to give the illusion of a safer school environment. We must evaluate strategies that have shown to be effective at minimizing injury and loss of life.
- What proven strategies can schools implement to decrease the likelihood of injuries and deaths due to mass shootings? Currently, Plainedge’s increased security measures include having a single-entry access point, surveillance with cameras, and holding 4 lockdown drills each year. However, the JAMA Network Research data shows 70% of shooters are current students. They will have access into the building and will be sitting in the very classrooms that go into lockdown. Investment in resources to prevent shootings before they occur may be a more effective means of making schools safer. The US Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) studied 141 incidents of targeted school violence that occurred between 2008-2017. NTAC outlines “threat assessment” as best practice for preventing incidents of targeted violence. Their data shows three-quarters of school shooters’ guns came from the home. In light of this evidence, school districts across the country are passing resolutions requiring schools to provide parents with resources about secure gun storage.
- The study also found that in 100% of the incidents, there were warning signs that caused others to be concerned. Schools should invest in resources improving threat assessments to catch or mitigate the warning signs that often preface a mass shooting. In 2018, the Department of Homeland Security report stated that “preventing violence by detecting and addressing the behavioral red flags is more effective than any physical security measure.”
The question of whether armed security officers make schools safer is not easily answered. While proponents argue that armed security can deter or stop a shooter, research suggests that armed guards may not significantly reduce the likelihood of casualties and could, in fact, increase risks to students and staff.
Rather than focusing solely on physical security measures, schools should invest in proactive strategies that address the root causes of violence. Threat assessment programs, secure gun storage, and behavioral interventions are data-driven approaches that have shown promise in reducing the risk of school shootings. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, schools can create safer environments for students without relying on the potentially dangerous presence of firearms on campus.
Ultimately, a combination of thoughtful security measures and prevention strategies—guided by evidence and a commitment to student well-being—offers the best hope for making schools safer in the long term. In solidarity!
Pew Research Survey 2022: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/10/18/about-a-third-of-k-12...
JAMA Network Research 2021
RAND report citing AP 2018
AP 2018 Report
Foley, Ryan J., and Larry Fenn, “Correction: Guns in School-Accidents Story,” Associated Press, May 7, 2018.
NYT 2019 - Active shooter data to compare with AP 2018 Report of negligent discharge or loss of control of weapon at school
Cai, Weiyi, and Jugal K. Patel, “A Half-Century of School Shootings Like Columbine, Sandy Hook and Parkland,” New York Times, May 11, 2019.
US Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) Study
Everytown Research and Policy - cites the Homeland Security recommendation
The Trace - investigating gun violence in America: https://www.thetrace.org/2023/08/guns-armed-guards-school-shootings/#:~:....
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