In 1991 and 1992 I had the pleasure of serving as the Crime Prevention and Safety Officer for the P.T.A. of my stepson's elementary school. I took the job to heart and tried to come up with creative ideas to stimulate children and parents alike to the importance of being safety conscious and to the realization that bad people are out there looking to prey upon our children.
          Never in my wildest nightmares could I have ever conjured up the thought of children coming to school 'loaded for bear'. We're not talking about gang bangers here, we're talking about the boy next door who did it 'just because' or 'because the teacher gave him a 'C' instead of an 'A'. It's time that we did something to protect our children from our apathy and society's view of 'It'll never happen here'.
          BET ME!!! Sooner or later, or perhaps it already has happened, you will be subjected to the sights and sounds of children and adults alike screaming and running for their very lives. In the last few years it has become a regular occurrence to pick up a newspaper or watch on television that another child has shown up at school with a weapon (knife, rifle or handgun) and shot at his or her teachers and classmates… some of them ultimately being killed. Remember now, we are talking about children as young as 10, 11 or 12. Age is no barrier to this dilemma. I can remember just as clearly as yesterday (actually it has been about a month or two) a young child being caught with a gun at school twice inside of two weeks. For those who are interested, the child was 5-years-old and the school was a daycare. Needless to say they expelled the child. More importantly, "What was he thinking" and "How did he get a hold of a handgun… twice".
          We are truly dealing with an epidemic, which if left untreated, can literally wipe out our future. Now don't misunderstand me, this is not a problem that will disappear overnight. It is a problem that must be dealt with on an everyday basis and must be addressed at its core roots. I was once told that 'knowledge is power' and that 'education is the key to a successful future'. I truly believe these to be true.
           Educating our children to the dangers in life is a must. They should be taught about all the good and all the bad that they may have to someday face. They need our guidance in attempting to make difficult decisions involving right and wrong. They need to know the importance of family, friends and being a good citizen.
           Unfortunately in our society today we have many readily accessible excuses for not doing something; 1) I'm a single parent, 2) My husband and I both work long hours, 3) They should be learning that in school, 4) It's not my responsibility. The excuses can go on and on.
           There are never any easy answers to complex problems and it's no different in this situation either. First we must identify the problem and them compile a list of actions to counter the perceived threat without alarming those around us or developing an air of paranoia.
           Since we are addressing a specific problem (children with guns in school) we can go straight to listing actions to counter the threat. First one must ask themselves, "What can I do to prevent my child from getting hurt".
           Your list of actions could be quite substantial once you've completed it so I'm going to discuss just a few of them that you may or may not have on your list of actions; 1) Petition the school to employ police officers to patrol the school during the school year, 2) Write to your state legislature asking for stiffer penalties for anyone who commits a crime involving a weapon on school property, 3) Take an active interest in your child's education… know when he's doing well and when he's being disruptive, 4) Allow the teachers to maintain the same level of discipline at school that you maintain at home when dealing with your children, and 5) Sit down and discuss with your children what to do should someone begin shooting at him/her or their friends and teachers.
           These are but a few examples of areas that must be addressed in order to make your child's education a safe learning environment. Without a safe haven available to them school becomes an everyday game of cat and mouse with the children constantly looking over their shoulder instead of enjoying the benefits of an education.
           When I was growing up I remember getting ready to go to bed at night and the last thing I would see on the television was a public service announcement. It was a very simple one. "It's ten o'clock. Do you know where your children are?" How many of us can honestly answer that question with a yes 100% of the time.
           Once you get past the fact that our children are living in a different world than we did, you have conquered half the problem. Next we need to realize that as long as there are people who don't believe in firearms in the hands of civilians, it is our responsibility as citizens, parents and firearms instructors to educate those who do not know better.
           Police Officers on campus. This can be an expensive proposition but when it comes to protecting our children, it should never be an issue.
           Tougher laws for weapons/violence on campus. This is going to take everyone to realize that the excuse 'he's only a child' cannot be used forever. 'Commit an adult crime, do the adult time'. Believe it or not, legislators want to help but you've have got to ask. Juvenile violent crime is at an all-time high and the juvenile population is estimated to double in the next 20 years. Think about it.
           Take an active interest in your child. This subject should not have to be talked about. Each adult has a duty (as a parent - hence the word mom or dad) to participate in the lives of their children. Education, family values, moral, religion, etc. be a part of their life. They will thank you for it later on down the road.
           Discipline at school. Teachers are frightened of the students. They are all too often powerless. Allow them to discipline your child as you would if he or she disobeys in front of you. Disruption is the back breaker where education is concerned.
           Have a plan. We should be used to that phrase by now. As CHL holders, we have a plan against an attack. Be smart and give your kids a fighting chance. Talk with them and formulate a plan 'just in case something happens'.
           If we don't take the lead in educating and protecting our children, then we have no right to think that the schools, teachers, police or the criminal justice system should be held responsible for a job we are unwilling to accept.

Copyright © 1998 William D. (Bill) Slater, Jr. This article was published in the June 1, 1998 (Vol. 2 No.2) issue of The Concealed Handgun, the official publication of the Texas Concealed Handgun Association.

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