It's not Gun Control

The issue is not gun control.  The issue is people control.

I’ve been to many schools in the past 60 years.  Very few had even the simplest effective security measures.  Many had silly signs telling visitors to check in at the office.  Some had bored teachers reluctantly hanging around gates not verbally challenging anyone’s reasons for being there trying to gain access.

Only one new school in Las Vegas, NV had single point access, enforced by fencing and barricades, into an Administration building with architectural features that prohibited further access without interaction with assigned staff.

Single Point Access being the first point.

This same facility and grounds were completely surrounded by an 8 foot chain link fence topped with three strands of barbed wire.  The vehicle gate and people gate were adjacent each other and attended by a uniformed guard with what looked like a Taser and a spray repellent.  The grounds were supervised by two assigned staff when children were present. They were attentive, vigilant, and physically and verbally active. Either of them may have had concealed lethal weapons as well.

The second point being; active, assigned, visible Security Staffing.

Cameras were visible inside and out.  I assume they were monitored and recorded.  If not, it was a tragic waste of money. At least six cameras covered the entry point, playground, playing field, and outdoor common areas.  All hallways, walkways and classrooms had visible cameras.

The third point being; complete visual surveillance of all facilities inside and out.

It did remind me of some minimum security detention facilities I’ve seen.  But most security devices and structures that could be reasonably incorporated into architectural features had been.  

The point being security features and human behavior were considered and planned for in advance of construction, not an afterthought.  

The presence of a patrol vehicle and uniformed visibly armed guards patrolling the perimeter would have been an additional measure I would strongly suggest anywhere; inner-city, suburb or rural setting.  

Visibly Armed is the point.  

These features and staffing taken together should change the mind of any amateur with evil intent.  It might not discourage a hardened criminal or experienced terrorist. Not many of those have attacked schools, so far.   

These features need to be present always, not 20 minutes after a mass shooting when millions of dollars of police, sheriff, FBI, emergency response equipment and personnel are all over the place accomplishing little, if any, preventive security.