School Shootings
When I think of school shootings my mind immediately goes back to the Columbine High school shooting. This was the first school shooting that I was actually old enough to remember and understand. I still remember having a moment of silence for all of those involved. The New world encyclopedia states “Columbine High School shooting was one of the deadliest mass shootings in United States history. On April 20, 1999, two teenagers killed 13 people and wounded more than 20 at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. The incident drew worldwide attention. It led to widespread discussion over gun control and the prevention of school violence.” (Funk & Wagnalls) According to Wikipedia from 2011 to 2015 there has been 99 school shootings including grade schools, high schools, and colleges. This is a problem that needs more national attention in my opinion in order for there to be some form of change.
The killers in school shootings (mass shootings) are what we call mass murderers, they typically want to send a message. It was stated the two students in Columbine sought revenge on bullies; this shooting/bombing was meant to send the message to them. According to a few articles I read they define their personalities as, “pseudocommando” these individuals kill in public during the daytime, plan their offense well in advance, and come prepared with arsenal of weapons, very similar to that of the school shooting killers. (Knoll) According to Warnick, the children who pull the triggers, the murderers, live dark and painful tragedies long before the shootings occur. In the same article it was stated the exact etiology of the mass murderer is unclear. The root cause of such personalities are also different, it is a unique combination of the biology, sociology, and in my opinion the background. No one factor causes a person to be a mass murderer.
I strongly feel that they are in some cases pushed to do such outlandish things. Case in point the Columbine shooting; they were bullied on a regular basis. Granted that doesn’t give anyone the right to take another life, however when you’re tormented it changes the person you really are. And in some cases the individual simply has a mental issue and something just snaps. It follows, then these individuals simply need help and a lot of prayer as well as counseling. No one wins in school shootings; the victims and their families suffer as well as the killer and their families. Their lives are essentially over as well; either jail or in some cases death sentences. Many believe that you shouldn’t have remorse for the killers; and they deserve whatever they have coming. Despite the fact that they are mentally ill; no well-balanced individual would do such a cruel act of violence.
The secret service has determined that these killings had no credible predictors for the reason, frequency, or motivation for some of these statistically rare acts of random violence. And in other cases the Secret Service found that when young people plan targeted violence they often tell at least one person about their plans, give out specifics before the event takes place, and obtain weapons they need usually from their own home or a relative’s home. According to an article on education world, the secret service says; school shooters don’t snap, they plan. The secret service advises schools to get troubled kids the help they need before they plan their attack.
School shootings are an ongoing, increasing in numbers issue. This bringing the secret service to the idea of looking for patterns of motive and behavior, of the killers. Their goal is to help schools and the police recognize which students are moving from interest in killing to weapons acquisition. (New York Times)
After the shootings take place that’s not the end for the killers or the victims, unless the end result is suicide for themselves. Some killers take the easy way out, in my opinion the coward way. After they take innocent lives some then turn and kill themselves. I feel like this is an easy way out. They don’t have to explain the reasons for their actions or suffer any consequences. Many families feel they receive justice if the killer has to serve time or give a reason for the gruesome crime. As a result the family is left with unanswered questions as well hate because their loved one is gone and the killer didn’t have to suffer at all. On the contrary, some killers are so mentally disturbed they stick around or put the police on a chase to search for them. And once they’re caught they go through long trials using tax payer dollars. Lots of them spend a lot of time going thru psych evaluations and therapy as well. It follows then this mental illness is very serious and should never go overlooked.
The steps that schools can take to try and protect students and staff from school shootings include the following. In my opinion all schools should have metal detectors implemented. I say this because regardless to the neighborhood the school is in, you can never determine as stated when a mass murder is going to plan their attack. This is not a situation that should ever be taking lightly since the number of school shootings is steadily rising. Experts say having armed guards is worth discussing, but it’s not the first route schools should take. Instead they suggest schools work to reinforce best practices and improve emergency response procedures, as well as coordination with law enforcement officials. (US News) However, many believe the increase in school shootings has led some to believe that schools are unprepared to face such tragedies effectively, or that current practices are inadequate. In fact, some believe that teachers and staff should be allowed to be armed while at work; for their protection as well as the students. Due to the times that we live in I am in agreeance with the idea. Some school districts are already moving in that direction. In September 2015, a state board in Arkansas voted to allow 13 school districts to train their teachers and staff as armed guards, and at least seven other states including, Ohio, Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Washington have armed guards in schools now. (US News)
The idea of teachers and staff being armed and ready for the next unexpected school shooting is up in the air. Many believe that it is simply absurd to prepare them as if they’re in the military and ready to fight a war. However I tend to disagree, I feel like the teachers, staff, and students take a risk when they go to school every day. And quite frankly it’s not fair for them/us to live in fear to better yourself. Due to the terrible times that we live in you have to be prepared; these senseless shootings are getting worse. Rather it’s a bomb threat or one of the many shootings. It puts fear in the entire community. As mentioned you never know when the mentally ill mass murderer will attack. It’s a scary unpredictable hate crime that you should always be prepared for. There should be some type of precautions taking besides knowing where to hide when the situation outbreaks. You can never be too prepared, seeing as how the individuals are attacking not only schools, but malls and even movie theaters. Granted you can never read the minds of the killers or even have a clue as to when they will attack. However, it is necessity to be well prepared when they do.
To conclude school shootings are a major issue around the world for both K-8, High schools, and even colleges. This is an issue that should always be taking seriously and kept on the forefront. All parties involved should know the necessary precautions when a situations approaches. It shouldn’t be learned the day of, but implemented just as tornado and fire drills are. Students shouldn’t have to live in fear when going to what’s supposed to be a safe place. Students and staff should be protected by any means necessary.
This is not to leave the mentally ill killers out, because they too need help. Teachers, staff, and students should always know to look out for and report suspicious behavior. If we can get ahead of the killers this too will aide in the prevention of schools shootings. As mentioned before when young people plan targeted violence they often tell at least one person about their plans; give out specifics before the event takes place, and obtain weapons they need usually from their own home or a relative’s home. With that being said parents, family members, and friends need to pay close attention to these individuals. Don’t take information giving lightly, considering the circumstances every piece of information is vital to the safety of others. The killers are typically looking for a way out the reason they inform others before making the decision. Again mentally ill and this isn’t to be taken lightly. We have to treat every situation as though it is happening right now. By this doing this we may be able to get a handle on the number of school shootings and get it down. Thus saving the lives of the victims and the killers. Making for an all-around more harmonious environment for us all.

Works Cited
Bidwell, A. (2015, January 15). How Schools Are Working to Prevent School Shootings. Retrieved April 05, 2016, from http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/01/15/how-schools-are-working-to-prevent-school-shootings
Columbine High School shooting. (2015). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 1p. 1.
CULLEN, D. (2012). WHAT A KILLER THINKS. Newsweek, 160(6), 30-34.
"United States School Shootings, 1990-present - Ballotpedia." 30 Mar. 2016. Web. 05 Apr. 2016.