Proper precautions

Eighteen gun-related incidents on school grounds have taken place since Jan. 1, 2018, and it has taken us till the most recent one to start seriously discussing actions to solve the problem.

At Bryant High school, we have plans and procedures that we practice in the event of an active shooter, and I’m sure Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School did too. But what if the school shooter is a fellow or former student? We see drugs and other potentially harmful items being brought into our school every day, and it’s not shocking to believe that a gun could one day enter the doors. Seventeen innocent lives were taken and over a dozen people were injured because apparently proper precautions were not put in place beforehand.

Action needs to be taken because, in all honesty, I’m scared. My classmates are scared. I go to a school with 2,714 students, and I’m not oblivious to the fact that one of those students could be in a bad state of mind, easily carry a weapon through the doors, and ruin the lives of many.

Many students have unsafe environments at home and they think of school as a safe place. That sense of protection should not be taken away because of inadequate security in schools. Fact of the matter, I should not be scared. My classmates should not be scared. I go to school for an education, not to worry about losing my life. Action has to be taken or more innocent lives will be.

ISABELLA LOREE HERRING

Benton