Opinions

School security taken seriously

Based on the flippant comments I received regarding my recent letter to the editor about installing security screening equipment at public schools, I deduce that my suggestion wasn’t taken seriously. Anything less, in my opinion, is tantamount to an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. After all of the tragic student and staff murders in our schools year after year, our nation has proven conclusively it lacks the will to keep military assault-type weapons out of the hands of unhinged maniacs, of which we seem to have an endless supply — because in most cases, they — the maniacs — are ignored rather than treated.

Somehow, the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment language “right to form a well-regulated militia” and to “keep and bear arms” became reinterpreted so that anyone with a pulse can easily acquire military-style assault weapons that can kill and maim scores of people in seconds. The framers couldn’t predict the significant advances in weaponry from single-action, flintlock muzzle loaders to semi-automatic, high-capacity magazine AR-15s and AK-47s.

Since we can’t stop the proliferation of guns in our country by profiteering arms dealers, as our “gun culture” continues to grow thanks to the internet, Hollywood and other mass media, we have only one alternative if we want to save lives: Stop guns at the school door. The counter-argument, of course, is that such a radical measure would necessitate putting in screening equipment at every business location. I’d recommend starting at schools first. If it works, and I’m sure it will, install it wherever it’s needed. Federal offices already have such equipment. As I mentioned in my earlier piece, are the lives of federal workers and those who enter those buildings more important than those of our children?

The idea of fortifying schools against gun violence is admitting that we have failed as a country in keeping our children and other citizens safe. The “ostriches” in our society don’t want to make that admission and acknowledge we’re in the middle of a shameful chapter in America’s history.

Until our elected leaders develop a spinal column and work in earnest toward stricter screening and background checks before people can purchase guns, and we begin treating the mentally ill in a more comprehensive manner, the horrific school deaths will continue. Students are afraid to go to school, as are their parents who are sending them. Teachers and other staff are afraid. Who could blame them?

When I tune in C-SPAN on TV to watch U.S. Congress in action, I perceive a strange image: Scores of politicians with their heads beneath their desks. I’m not sure if their noggins are buried beneath the floor, like ostriches, or somewhere else.

Frank E. Baker is a lifelong Alaskan and freelance writer. He lives in Eagle River.

The views expressed here are the writer’s and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)adn.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Read our full guidelines for letters and commentaries here.

Frank Baker

Frank E. Baker is a freelance writer who lives in Eagle River.

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