Gun control debate misses the point for school safety

As professors of sociology and criminology, we would like to say we are pleased that conversations about how to make schools safer are occurring across the nation.

Prompted by the tragic shooting of 26 people, including 20 children, at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., as well as the now-decades long spate of school and campus mass shooters, this dialogue should provide opportunities for those who spend their days with children and youth to share their expertise about what will keep our schools safe.

Instead, these dialogues are micro-focused, centering on the weapons used in the atroci...