Since 1999, hundreds of school shootings have scarred American communities, yet schools with armed staff have a perfect record: zero shootings.
In an editorial this month — Colorado learned long ago that no school is safe from gun violence, a lesson Jeffco should have heeded — The Denver Post Editorial Board argued that while placing a law enforcement officer in every school poses significant financial challenges for school districts, they see no viable alternative.
The Denver Post described several benefits of having a School Resource Officer (SRO) on duty on every school campus. Beyond offering students law enforcement role models, the presence of a uniformed, armed defender on campus serves as a powerful deterrent to violence. Even the mere sight of a marked patrol car in a school parking lot can give would-be evildoers pause.
But it’s not a cure-all.
In Colorado’s Arapahoe High School Shooting in 2013, there was an SRO on the large campus. Although the shooter didn’t begin his attack near the SRO, the officer’s approach – heard by the shooter over the radio – helped limit the scope of the attack. One student, 17-year-old Claire Davis, was shot and subsequently died from her injuries. The SRO’s presence was instrumental in ending the attack before more lives could be lost or children injured. However, SROs are not a panacea, because they are human – they step away, eat lunch, or patrol large campuses, and their conspicuous presence makes them easy to avoid. There’s a better solution: armed, qualified school staff.
The Crime Prevention Research Center reports that none of the hundreds of schools nationwide with volunteer armed staff has experienced a shooting during school hours – a 100% success rate over decades. In Colorado’s 50 districts with armed, trained volunteer staff, including rural and suburban schools alike, safety records remain unblemished.
In these 50 districts, schools with armed staff have protection on site throughout the school day, thanks to the presence of multiple armed defenders. And they conceal carry. No one, aside from the security team, knows who they are. This adds an extra layer of protection for students and faculty, creating an environment where any attacker must contend with the likelihood of a rapid confrontation.
There are nearly 500 of these heroes in Colorado schools today. These volunteers are hand-picked, thoroughly vetted, and must commit to a rigorous training schedule. Critics worry about safety, but FASTER Colorado’s arduous vetting and training ensure only the most qualified carry concealed weapons. In 20 years, no armed staff program has reported a safety incident. In most communities, awareness that schools have armed staff reinforces the deterrent effect.
Although armed staffers continue to increase in numbers, why hasn’t the idea gained broader mainstream acceptance? At FASTER Colorado, we often hear that the media largely fail to share information that could raise awareness and interest in these programs. Reporters rarely highlight armed staff programs, leaving parents unaware of a proven remedy. Instead, headlines focus on tragedies and their painful aftermaths instead of prevention.
It’s time to spotlight the heroes quietly protecting our schools. Network and cable news rarely cover how widespread armed staff policies are, how safely these programs have been implemented across the country, or how some attackers may choose targets based on perceived security weaknesses. We also seldom hear the stories of the brave men and women working in schools, who willingly run toward the sound of gunfire to save children. That needs to change.
Imagine a teacher, coach, or counselor – someone your child trusts – who’s rigorously trained to protect lives, ready to run toward danger. That could transform our culture.
In Colorado, school boards hold the authority to approve armed staff in districts. Parents and communities must demand their school boards explore all options, including armed staff, to protect children. Share FASTER Colorado’s website and take an active role in creating a safer future for our students. Every day without action risks another tragedy.
Laura Carno is the executive director of FASTERColorado.org.
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