Guns don’t belong in schools
Can we protect children in school settings by throwing more guns into the educational environment? That is a very dangerous concept.
We will add the element of potential weapons deaths to all schools at all times. Even policemen who take infrequent target training do not receive adequate emergency attack training under which the immediate stress alters human ability to respond. Placing armed teachers and mere guards is increasing the odds for happenstance as well as creating an inadequate solution with non-guaranteed results.
Secure the school buildings properly; barred windows, no non-visual side door entries, supply delivery driver confirmations, lessen unnecessary visitor traffic etc. This has not been fully implemented because of costs. Is it time? Is it affordable now?
President Obama mentioned violent video as a key cause of gun violence among our nation’s unstable youth. He failed to mention Hollywood because they have been his political backer. Movies in the 50s had all sorts of monsters. The era wasn’t saturated with rampage, psycho murderers that killed other youth.
Not much mention has been centered against the drug industry and medical fields. Maybe the AMA should be mentioned along with the NRA. So many of these kids today are identified as ADHD and the like. Then they are placed on neuro-psych pharmaceuticals. Some of the shooters had guns in their hands and such drugs in their systems.
Catching the problem in school is an excellent idea. Hire guidance councilors and school psychologists. (Oops, low funds — cut the programs.) Place one professional to move around in a school district making sure that they’ll never be available to students upon demand, in fact they won’t be able to do the proper follow-up conferences with them either.
Arnold E. Burchianti, Sr.
Smithfield