DO YOU KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE IN YOUR SCHOOLS? IS THE DEBATE OF GUN CONTROL TAKING PRECEDENCE OVER THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM? THESE QUESTIONS AND OTHER ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED HERE IN THIS FIRST OF A MULTI-PART EDUCATIONAL SERIES ON SCHOOL SAFETY.
“He has to learn that guns aren’t always bad, it just depends on who uses them.” That line, from the 1954 movie “Suddenly” starring Frank Sinatra as a hit man who is planning to assassinate the President of the United States, was spoken by actor Sterling Hayden who played the sheriff of the small town where the plot was unfolding. On the heels of World War II, and at a time when nearly ten percent of the nation’s sitting Presidents had been assassinated, the character was addressing the importance of teaching kids about the reality of the world and “not wrap them in cellophane”. It’s a good flick that is full of good lines that are transferable to today’s moral fiber and recurring terror in our schools.
With the gun debate taking center stage, particularly with young voices passionately sounding the charge and their social media skills expanding their position, many of the key questions and answers are being ignored. There are a multitude of approaches that can be employed to provide solutions for better protection.
- Realizing that the threat can be delivered by much more than guns is an initial step.
- Recognizing that those who plan violence will morph their intentions to achieve an end result by using whatever means available to deliver their message must be in the prevention plan.
- Understanding the root causes of anti-social, violent behavior is a necessity.
- Engaging strategies to improve school environments is necessary at the individual; relationship; community; and societal levels.
- Preventative measures must be realistically planned and acted upon.
- Diligent review, training, and cooperative measures must be a continuing routine to assure planning is vital and is at the best level to protect.
MORE THAN GUNS:
The history of school violence in the U.S. dates back as far as July, 1764 in Greencastle, PA. (ten killed and two injured) – Wikipedia: School Shootings in the U.S. Two explosions at a Bath, Michigan schoolhouse in 1927 resulted in the highest incident of deaths from a single attack (45 persons, including the 38 children, six adults, and the man responsible for the attack). Of all the attacks listed, weapons used included bombs, knives, and guns. “US School Violence Fast Facts”, CNN February 19, 2018. In “A Brief History of the AR-15” NPR, February 28, 2018, it is reported that the AR-15 was developed in the late 1950’s as a military rifle. It had limited success until Colt purchased the design and was selected by the U.S. Military to manufacture the model that soon became the standard issue for U.S. Troops in the Vietnam War.
Acknowledgements: United Artists (1954); NPR News (2018); CNN (2018); Wikipedia
The owners at Makowski’s Martial Arts and Fitness are actively engaged in providing specialized training and continually advancing their own. They are highly qualified, experienced, and certified instructors for law enforcement; public safety; and schools. For detailed information, regarding our programs and training, check out our expanding list of self defense credentials on our Instructors Page
NEXT UP: Identifying root causes and preventative measures.
