I teach survival classes at a Jr. High school. One of the programs is called "The Swarm" which is taken from a class I teach to regular police officers. We go through the Escape and Evade procedures, then to Lockdown protocols if E&E are not possible, and as a last resort we teach the kids how to distract, fight back and using "shock and awe" principles go through the shooter and escape ... vs. sitting in fear and waiting to get shot or "comply and die." 100% support from staff and parents.
Yea...the concept of unarmed, scared kids taking on an armed intruder bent on a body count is ludicrous, but is is the only alternative if you are in that room. School shooters do not want hostages, want to negotiate, want money or a plane to Cuba...they want to kill people. We have a whole program and there is even a book on the subject i use. I always remind school folks and parents that in the overwhelming percentage of school shooter incidents, the killer has done his damage and is dead before the cops arrive.
We take school shootings very seriously out here, like many states we had a major paradigm shift after Columbine. We teach a new protocol to all cops called "Active Shooter Response" where we essentially train street cops, plainclothes cops, etc. basic SWAT procedures to deal with a school/business shooter. SWAT personnel also tour schools taking photos and "mapping" the location so there is a database with info available.
At some schools, CCW holders can carry if they are teachers or parents. Off duty cops can carry everywhere as can most retired cops.
Luckily, the schools I deal with do not have metal detectors, bomb dogs, prison-like fencing, etc.
H0 04, I am very glad your children were not exposed to any life threatening intentions that day.
