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Introduction

Despite research indicating schools are a safe place for students, a national debate regarding weapons, mainly guns, within the school has emerged following major crisis events.

 

 

 

Quick Facts

• “In any given year, almost a quarter of all secondary school students in California —representing more than half a million students—have seen, been threatened by, or brought a weapon to school” (Astor & Benbenishty, 2019)

• “18 states allow adults to carry loaded weapons onto school grounds” (Johnson, 2013)

 

 

 

Arming School Educators

Advocates:

• Advocates emphasize the cost-effectiveness of arming school employees, as opposed to employing a school resource officer (Elliot, 2015)

• Many use the Second Amendment (i.e., right to bear arms) or organizations (i.e., National Rifle Association) to support their viewpoint. (Rogers et al., 2018)

Opposition:

• Concern regarding students access to guns or accidental shootings in the school as the number of guns in schools would increase (Pinkerton, 2013)

• Weapons in school can cause students severe short- and long-term social, academic, and psychological harm, even if a weapon is never actively used.” (Astor & Benbenishty, 2019)

• Guns in the school could heighten anxiety or fear, negatively negatively impacting the school climate (Rajan & Branas, 2018).

• It is unlikely that untrained personnel could deter an active shooter due to lack of training and high intensity situation (Elliot, 2015)

• Costs dedicated to training school educators takes away from resources that could be used towards programs proven to reduce violence (i.e., mental health services, etc.) (NASP, 2018)

 

 

 

Best Practices & Conclusions

• “Policy and practice should reflect a “public health” prevention approach” that aims to create a positive school environment and advocate to eliminate weapons from entering schools. (Astor & Benbenishty, 2019)

• “Enact and uphold gun laws that prevent access to firearms by those who have the potential to cause harm to themselves or others.” (NASP, 2019)

• “The too narrow focus on lethal use of guns in schools and on mass shootings may lead to unproductive policies and interventions that could have unintended negative consequences” (Astor & Benbenishty, 2019)

 

 

 

 

 

References

Astor, A. & Benbenishty, R. (2018). Reducing Weapons in Schools. American Psychological Association.

Elliott, R. (2015). The real school safety debate: Why legislative responses should focus on schools and not on guns. Ariz. L.       Rev., 57, 523.

Johnson, A. (2013. Guns already allowed in schools with little restriction in many states. NBC news.  

National Association of School Psychologists. (2018) NASP Opposes Arming Teachers

National Association of School Psychologists. (2019). Parkland and Other Anniversaries Offer Opportunity to Highlight             

     Effective School Safety Efforts

Pinkerton, J. (2013, January 21). Local law enforcement officials see risks in arming teachers. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved

     from http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houstontexas/houston/article/Local-law-enforcement-officials-see-risks-in-

     4209905.php

Rajan, S., & Branas, C. C. (2018). Arming School Teachers: What Do We Know? Where Do We Go From Here? US National

     Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304464

Rogers, M., Lara Ovares, E. A., Ogunleye, O. O., Twyman, T., Akkus, C., Patel, K., & Fadlalla, M. (2018). Is Arming Teachers

     Our Nation’s Best Response to Gun Violence? The Perspective of Public Health Students.