New laws aim to bolster safety at Texas public schools

1.     Screen shots of article from Austin-American Statesman

2.     Education/Texas public schools

3.     Local level/State level

4.     This article is proposing a potential policy that is being considered to help a problem/issue in which Texas public schools, and the families who rely on these schools, face.

5.     The proposed policy of training armed “school marshals” for Texas public school systems benefits the students, staff, and families of students attending such schools. The safety of students increases with the ability of armed and trained marshals to respond to any disruptions on campus. When allowing school marshals to carry weapons concerns arise that these weapons can be used against students, or staff. Therefore, the indications of the policy verses the contraindications of the policy need to be weighed.

6.     I support armed school marshals. The article explains marshals must complete training, which includes a mental health background check, firearm training, and emergency response. If the policy passes, and the policy implemented correctly, I see little reason to not have armed marshals on school campuses.

The proposed policy’s attention comes from recent school violence such as Sandy Hook Elementary and a  knife fight in a Houston-area high school. Schools should offer students a safe environment. Unfortunately our society has encountered tragedies, such as Sandy Hook and the Houston-area H.S. knife fight, in recent years. Such tragedies create the need for change in school safety.

During my freshman year of high school I experienced a school shooting. I attended Santana high school in my hometown of Santee, California. The beginning moments of my class were interrupted by screams and loud noises, which I later found to be the cause of two deaths and multiple injuries. In hindsight I faced little danger, respectively. However, the event blindsided me. I never imagined my school being susceptible to such a large-scale event. And, I do not believe anyone ever does imagine his or her school to be in danger of such an event. For this reason, a standing policy is crucial to make schools safer across the board, no matter where the school is located.

School violence will not be eliminated with the policy of armed school marshals. However, if an attack were to occur schools marshals can react much quicker than EMS or police. Fast response times improve the chances of having fewer victims.

Those who oppose the policy consider the potential of armed marshals turning on their co-workers and students with their weapons. Also, the opposition fears school marshals will be (explained to be unknown to most staff and students) targeted for their weapons by violent staff, students, or outsiders.

All of the outcomes must be considered. However, as a student I would feel more secure with an armed school marshal on duty. A perfect school safety system is a long way, and many policy changes, away. But, change needs to start somewhere. And, this policy is promising.