The violence in schools needs to be reduced (nothing involving human interaction can be completely stopped). But the decision on what to do and how to do it rests with you.
It’s symptomatic of a dysfunctional government and/or culture to see more violence in schools, not less.
Who is personally responsible for these horrific crimes? The parents of the children and the employees of the school district. The killer comes in third. He is being allowed to kill children by extremely fearful parents and school district employees.
Schools, shopping malls, post offices, large office buildings, movie theaters, etc. are chosen, for the most part, because they represent a captive audience for the killer. More dead bodies. The intelligence (if any) of the killer doesn’t go beyond this.
The following will go a long way towards protecting young children while they are in school:
1) The principal (and assistant principals, if any) needs to be armed with a concealed revolver. Shooting classes are to be attended. As most schools are in a weapons-free zone, go concealed anyway, but tell no one of your decision. Jobs and guns are replaceable, 7-year-old children are not.
2) For every 100 students at a school there needs to be one school staff member who is armed. This will provide between six and 15 armed teachers to confront the killer before any damage (hopefully) occurs. In addition to knowing how to use a concealed firearm, one must be willing to use the weapon whenever called upon. If you are too fearful of protecting the children in your care, then don’t bother.
3) This is one of those rare occasions (outside of the combat soldier, the police, etc.) in which it pays to get extreme, and to vent that anger against the criminal while the children are still alive, not afterwards.
4) Stop being a fearful adult throughout your lifetime, and instead become a courageous citizen. This isn’t easy for most, but it can be done.
5) Study the philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Thomas Reid. Their beliefs are of value within these circumstances.
As stated before, the decision rests with you, whether a parent or a school employee.
Ray Gattavara
Sumner, Wash.
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