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Provide Students a Way to Report Suspicious And Threatening Behavior

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Our students are on the front line in more ways than one. And their awareness of threats is at a new height. They are marching, they are voting, they are our new young activists. And more power to them. Give them a way to have a voice. They are the population MOST tuned into social media. They are also the MOST tuned into what is going on with their classmates. They are their own first line of defense. Therefore, all school need to implement a Threat Notification Policy that is clearly delineated and easy to follow, so that students can notify school administration of potential threats, I suggest the following: A policy where students are given a voice in the schools...by having a protocol whereby they can notify school administration of suspected threats. It may look a bit like this: You, the student, if you notice a threat on social media or a potential threat from another student's behavior, are free to CONFIDENTIALLY notify school authorities immediately. The life y...
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Felony Probation or Parole---Much? No Gun Access

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Many people are not aware that convicted felons are supposed to have no access to firearms. They have given up their "rights". For life. Generally, the following is true. If an underage person or an adult who, having a felony conviction, is released into the general population on probation or parole, they are forbidden to have access to guns. These legal stipulations are considered to be a condition of the release. These documents are written, formal, and legal, presented by the court. These documents are known typically as part of their "probation conditions" or "probation stipulations", which, if not followed, can be used to bring the felon back into custody for violations of those conditions. The felon is aware of these conditions, as the felon  has signed the document and received a copy of same. If not agreed to in writing, the person would not be released from confinement. What this means is that where ever the felon lives, the other people who...
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The Sad Truth

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"No, there wasn't. It's been happening everywhere. I've always kind of felt like it would happen here too, so - I don't know, I wasn't surprised, I was just scared."           The sad truth is that in can happen here, as my family now knows. Americans need to stop thinking that it won't happen in their town and be mentally prepared for it. We were not. "It can happen here" is the new reality. There have been 22 school shooting in the past 20 weeks. On April 20th, my wife and I were perchance driving past our son's high school in Ocala, Florida when suddenly SWAT teams, ambulances, and fire trucks raced onto the school grounds. I can't find the words to describe our terror at that moment. Fortunately, only one student was wounded, and the troubled former student shooter was talked down by a very brave teacher. Within three minutes, the school resource officer arrived and arrested the boy. The school and local law enforce...
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Everytown.org ---- The Answer To The NRA

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I was having a conversation a couple of months ago with a friend, and my question for him was well, what can I possibly do? I feel helpless. What can happen to counter the NRA?  Are there any organizations that are offering an alternative, that are working to create change? So, wonderfully, my friend had an answer. It turns out there are multiple organizations that are here to counter the NRA and ALSO to offer solutions to gun violence. He turned me onto this incredible movement, and several million people have joined Everytown.org. It is easy to join. Their purpose is to end gun violence. Is there something that you can do today? Yes. Join Everytown.org. From time to time, I will post links to these kinds of organizations. The movement is growing. Become a part of it today. The NRA and their policies are being answered by wonderful people who are creating significant movements to find solutions. Everytown.org is an excellent example of what we can do to right t...
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Shooter Alarm As Well As Fire Alarm

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One of my acquaintances started a discussion yesterday, proposed a GREAT idea, and I believe we can all pay heed. Most of us, if not all, grew up with fire alarms in our schools. In my memory, on rare occasions, it might be pulled as a prank. We still have fire alarms. A fire alarm was pulled by the shooter in Parkland, FL, forcing students outside where there were completely at risk of harm, not knowing what the true situation was. The shooter knew this and planned on it . A fire alarm was pulled in Santa Fe Texas, with potentially the same result, although current reporting suggests a teacher pulled it. Still. It sent students outside in to an open area where many fled for their lives ad were further potentially at risk. Many are beginning to understand that "sheltering in place" is a far safer option in the case of school shootings, as opposed to running out of the building into open areas where a shooter can gain advantage. This idea is an open debate...
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School boards: Think About This

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Ok. Here is what I am thinking about as regards school shootings.  Most children who enter public school are required to provide vaccine records. When I entered college, I had to provide proof of a clean MMR. What is an MMR? Measles, Mumps and Rubella. So yes, I got the paperwork and provided it. Not really different from what parents are required to provide on a yearly basis to the local schools. Correct me if I am wrong. What am I leading up to exactly? Hmmm. If School Boards can require these immunization certifications, why can they not require certifications of (let's say) Gun Safe Houses? So if your child is entering school, at any age....why not certify that the home is "Gun-Safe"? What a concept. You would need to certify that your guns are locked up and the ammo was locked up separately. And indeed, the adults (parents, guardians or relatives I assume) would need to certify as such by a written signed document, Or else your child would not be admitted to ...
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Your Responsibilites as a Gun Owner

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You must lock up your guns and ammo separately. Perhaps you are just a relative or grandparent of a troubled child, or perhaps your own child has befriended another child who is troubled. I will mention that having your own child befriend another child who is troubled is VERY common, as your own child may wish to help and believe they CAN help. Run, don't walk, to get a secure space for your guns and ammunition.Or remove the guns to another location.  Children can be incredibly innovative in terms of gaining access to dangerous weapons if they have a mind to. Guns are somewhat expensive. Gun safes may be even more expensive. Still, it is your responsibility. Do not place keys, if you use them, in an obvious place like a desk drawer or a key hanger. A better solution of course is a combination lock. Everyone is capable of recognizing a troubled or violent child. This includes you. Take every precaution, as the fact of the matter is that as the gun owner, you yourself are a...
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