The Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) recently released a database of statistics and documentation of every instance that a gun has been active on a school campus between 1970 and 2018. The results are incredibly eye-opening and alarming. We’ve seen more school shootings incidents this year alone than any other in US history and we still have 2 months remaining.

I currently have children attending school from pre-k to high school, even though additional measures are being taken to prepare students for an active shooter, their safety is a constant worry of mine. They’ve been instructed on essential procedures to help protect themselves from an intruder: turn off lights and lock doors, remain quiet, avoid cell phone use to keep lines open for emergency responders, and so much more. Teachers have been trained on how to react and provided additional tools to barricade doors or shield students.

Although I welcome the initiative taken by school districts like ours around the country, I know that there’s a better way.