This letter is in response to Mr. Kampert’s response to my earlier letter on school shootings, questioning my belief that arming teachers or placing armed security officers in schools is not the panacea that Mr. Kampert believes it is.
I felt vindicated that Mr. Kampert’s relatives who are teachers all opposed his idea. But more importantly, studies that actually researched this issue extensively also reached the same conclusions as myself and his teacher relatives. He might want to follow the link to learn more: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776515.
“… the data suggest no association between having an armed officer and deterrence of violence in these cases (when an armed officer or teacher was present).”
In fact, “An armed officer on the scene was the number one factor associated with increased casualties after the perpetrators’ use of assault rifles or submachine guns.”
The well-documented weapons effect explains that the presence of a weapon increases aggression. Whenever firearms are present, there is room for error and even highly trained officers get split-second decisions wrong. Prior research suggests that many school shooters are actively suicidal, intending to die in the act, so an armed officer may be an incentive rather than a deterrent.
Further, with a staggering 85% of shooters in the study students (70%) and former students (15%), the effectiveness of hardened security and active shooter drills is likely not a solution as well. Indeed a recent shooting was done by a grade schooler.
Instead, as we look for solutions other than arming teachers and other school personnel, a more viable solution is for our schools to invest in resources to prevent shootings before they occur. That includes identifying mental health issues and addressing bullying through programs that hold parents of student shooters accountable for their child’s actions if clear red flags were ignored.
I’d like to see universal background checks at a minimum, but short of that seemingly impossible goal, laws requiring secure gun storage would be a start. Expanding red flag laws to instances to where a school age child has exhibited mental health issues, guns should be removed from the household or securely stored (with harsh criminal and civil penalties if violated).
Bullying needs to be dealt with immediately after being reported, with victims of bullying provided ample mental health treatment after the source is addressed, again with ensuring that the victims don’t have access to weapons as well.
Sadly I find the prospect of my agreeing with Mr. Kampert on any topic involving guns or elections remote. I would, however, enjoy a chance to visit with his relatives who are teachers to share solutions.
