Firearms continue to be the leading cause of death among young Americans between the ages of 1 and 19. Regardless, the number of school shootings in k-12 school campuses is down by 20.7% this year.
The declining rate of school shootings should come as a relief to schools and parents. Even so, current rates are still higher than pre-Covid days, according to an article by David Riedman, data scientist and creator of K-12 School Shooting Database. We believe this could be a sign of many changes happening in school districts right now.
Although the reason for a decline in school shootings cannot be attributed to one specific thing, it’s our theory that schools are now taking a closer look at security solutions. Window coverings being one of them.
Every New School Purchase Must Consider Security
School teachers, principals and superintendents now face unprecedented challenges. They must consider security and prevention of school shootings with every new program, upgrade, and product they purchase, according to a Riedman article. Door window coverings are no exception.
Three ways window coverings could help deter shooting fatalities are delayed access, reduced visibility, and creating barriers.
Window films or shatter-resistant coatings can make it more difficult for an intruder to break through the glass, delaying access. Meanwhile, window coverings or Shelter Shutters can block an intruder’s view into the classrooms or other areas. In some cases, window covers can serve as a physical barrier, preventing an intruder from gaining access to certain areas.
Most Common Cause of School Shootings
Nevertheless, Riedman reports in another article that the most common cause for a school shooting is a fight that escalated into a shooting. If a teen had a gun in their possession at the time of an incident, the altercation might likely have ended in a shooting. This could have happened despite no one planning it that way.
In Riedman’s article, former School Resource Officer and current School Security Director Justin Seals said that about 600,000 students take a gun to school each year. An alarming statistic for sure.
Current statistics prove that we have a long way to go in this country. Despite this, the decline in school shootings is a sign that we might be headed in the right direction.