Active Shooters In Schools. The Enemy Is Denial.

[jdmidwest]

The amount of children killed in school fires in the last 50 years as of May, 2010? Zero. Nada. Zippo.

What??? How come??? Because they trained personnel in fire safety and prevention as well as the kids. They did drills on what to do in case of fire. They installed Sprinklers to put out the fires. Something simple as water to stop the threat. Who would have thunk?

Forward to modern day. Nutballs seeking fame are attacking our kids in a gun free zone called a "school". What do we do???

Interesting article from May 2010 that has an excellent point driven home. If it had been driven home in CT, maybe 20 young souls would still be here today.

http://www.policeone.com/active-shooter/articles/2058168-Lt-Col-Dave-Grossman-to-cops-The-enemy-is-denial/

Install a security protocol. Train personnel on what to do in case of attack. Drill with personnel and kids on what to do. Install an armed security person(s) to deal with the threat, just in case of fire.

It would really be simple. All visitors enter thu the front that is locked down, along with the rest of the school. Simple pass thru a metal detector would kill the thought of bringing in weapons, but that is an added expense, and an additional thought. Armed security person confronts any incoming threat. Maybe an additional CCW scattered throughout the staff that is trained also as an extra deterrant or additional support to defeat the threat to any students.

[gotmuddy]

I agree

[strangercreek]

I also agree. We owe those children and their families more than just point a finger at the simplest answer. Tired of the gun debate, its not soley a gun issue.

[Wayne SW/MO]

We know we can't stop nuts and we should know that glass doors can't be locked, but all the powers that be want to talk about is guns. The security at this school was locked glass doors, good to keep most out, but not someone bent on entering. I don't understand what has happened to the common sense that used to be so prevalent. We put 4 security people on duty at an embassy in a country without a secure central government and full of American hating groups. We lock down schools with doors designed to deter hones law abiding people. Our government can spread assault weapons a stones throw from our border and then wants to insure that we have no defense when they return.

It's not just the obvious nuts.

[Justin Spencer]

I don,t think an armed guard is neccesary, or let each district decide if that money is needed in other areas, but I do think each school should have one or two trustworthy personnel that can access a locked weapon in the event a threat needs addressed. In rural schools it may take law enforcement a long time to arrive so we need to have a plan.

[Al Agnew]

This is a nightmare scenario no matter what. The obvious problem with having an armed person in the school to protect against this, even if that person is highly trained, is that we're talking about an environment with a bunch of kids, probably panicked, who knows how thick the walls are...there just aren't going to be many safe shooting lanes. I know I wouldn't want to have to shoot it out with an armed intruder when I have to be extremely concerned about what's both in front of and behind my target, while the target doesn't care in the least. I don't think you can train the kids (and teachers) for any eventuality in a fluid situation like a roaming shooter or shooters. Every other idea probably costs a lot of money that the schools don't have. Ideal situation would be metal detectors, steel doors with excellent locks, at least one armed security person, AND "safe rooms" off each classroom where the teacher can take the children at the first sign of trouble...bulletproof and easily locked. But that's wishful thinking.

[Feathers and Fins]

Al, short of armed guards at all entrance's you cannot secure a school enough to prevent this and even with armed guards I dont know if you can. A determined Killer will find a way and what if it was multiple shooters? My wifes a teacher but neither her nor I am worried about it happening at her school and if it does we both know the best she can do and others is lock the doors and hope LEO gets there fast enough to minimize the death toll.

I have been following polls on teachers CC at school and almost all of them are 50/50 this nation is so divided on so many issues its sad. I like many have seen the picture of the Israel teacher with the AK on her back and Ive read the stats to go with it. Problem here is our teachers were not in the Military first and trained in combat tactics nor would we ever accept some kids in cross fire acceptable.

[jdmidwest]

Most of the newer schools that have been built have used concrete block walls. They used the material for its strength, earthquake survivability, and fire prevention. Most handgun ammo will not penetrate the walls, it is designed to expand in tissue and slow down. Solid walls stop it. Rifle bullets are another matter.

Handgun ammo has evolved alot in the past decade. I personally carry Hornady Critical Defense, the design is to penetrate clothing without jamming up the expansion mechanism. But when it hits something solid, it expands and loses energy fast. There are several others, all designed to expand and create wound channels, but prevent over penetration past intended targets.

Some of the suggestions I heard today included Tasers. Seems like there is clothing designed to defeat Tasers, and the shooter may have been wearing it. So Tasers would not be an option.

Looks like a firearm in the school may be necessary and MO is offering up a bill in the State Legislature to achieve just that,

[fishinwrench]

My high school vice P would have loved to carry a gun, and considering his personality and lack of a sense of humor I'm sure he would have been sticking it in our faces on a daily basis. He was a genuine jackass and considering that most of us had guns in our unlocked vehicles in the school parking lot it is a wonder that he never got shot.

So faculty packing heat? Noway! I'll never be down with that, because alot of school personnel are closet psychopaths.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Al, short of armed guards at all entrance's you cannot secure a school enough to prevent this and even with armed guards I dont know if you can.

I don't believe any of these mental cases intent on mass murder have ever attacked a place that they didn't feel was gun free. Schools at the very least need to be secure against unauthorized entry by anyone bent on harm. The latest was only secure against anyone entering undetected.

Once again though the emphasis is on one venue and not about the act. We seem to be able to stop terrorist attacks by a large diverse group, but not domestic attacks by a small identifiable group. We'll do better when we get a way from preconceived misguided "laws" and concentrate on how to identify threats no matter where they intend to attack or how.