The number of school shootings in the United States has been on the rise, with 2023 being the third consecutive year to break record high temperatures. Because of this dramatic increase in the number of shootings, schools across the country have been implementing different methods of prevention. One of these methods is the installment of metal detectors.
By using metal detectors, shootings could potentially be stopped earlier due to the immediate feedback of the machines. Along with this, potential shooters are more likely to be deterred from action if it is harder to sneak weapons into school.
Although some say that placing metal detectors in schools could increase anxiety levels in students, it can also be argued that having extra security could help comfort students, which could help them stay in a focused and healthy learning environment.
Many districts are reluctant to implement this technology because of the cost – this is the speculated reason why only four percent of schools have metal detectors. However, even though it would cost a lot of money, would it not be worth it in order to save the lives of students? After all, every child deserves to earn an education without coming to school afraid of being killed.
Lockdown drills and security camera footage are not enough to keep a school safe. Most school shooters are either kids or young adults – about 43% of 2023 US shooters were students in that school, with the most common age being seventeen years old. This means they are likely familiar with how the safety procedures are run. There is only so much hiding and locking of doors that can stop an active shooter, especially if they already know where to find students.
No matter how much of an initiative each school takes to address mental health, underlying societal issues impacting the US will always result in school shooters. This is why every school should have metal detectors – as another precaution to provide safety to students.
