During her 2019 presidential campaign, Kamala Harris, a former U.S. senator, advocated for the removal of police officers from public schools to demilitarize educational institutions.

“We need to discuss demilitarizing our schools and eliminating police officers from these environments,” Harris remarked. “We have to confront the truth about disparities in school discipline, especially concerning the expulsion and suspension of Black and brown boys as early as elementary school.”

Even following the recent mass shooting at a school, where a resource officer intervened and apprehended the suspect, I still align with Harris’s perspective.

The incident on September 4 at Apalachee High School in Georgia, resulting in the deaths of two students and two teachers, has reignited discussions surrounding the presence of armed police and military veterans in schools to safeguard students from violence.

However, increasing the number of armed individuals is not the solution to school violence. Stricter gun control measures are the true remedy.

DeSantis suggested enlisting armed veterans in schools

In 2018, while campaigning to become governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis advocated for hiring retired military personnel and police officers to secure schools. His proposal followed the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, which resulted in 17 fatalities.

DeSantis’ proposal might initially appear to be a sensible answer. Nonetheless, while many veterans are admirable and committed, they often contend with their own traumas, which might not align with the best interests of our children.

The glorification of military life creates a skewed perception of the reality, pace of training, deployments, and the true nature of war.

The proposal to introduce more armed personnel to ensure our children’s safety in schools may provide a false sense of security. In truth, it lacks safety and realism.

Some argue that armed veterans in schools would enhance security due to their firearm training. However, this belief is not always warranted.

Every member of the military acquires marksmanship training, though not all are exceptional shooters. While sharpshooters and experts possess advanced weapon skills, soldiers typically only need to qualify annually or biannually. To earn the expert marksmanship title in the Army, a soldier must hit 36 out of 40 targets in a training course, but just over half of the targets must be hit to qualify.

Those statistics instill little confidence in a school environment.

“Being a veteran doesn’t necessarily mean someone is equipped for such a significant responsibility,” remarked therapist and retired Army noncommissioned officer LaQuista Erinna. “We are discussing protecting our children; when adding armed individuals, regardless of their background, chaos and confusion can arise. We consistently address the symptoms of school shootings rather than the root issue — the lack of gun control in our nation.”

Gun violence is a significant public health issue

Gun violence represents a major public health emergency that requires legislative measures to limit the distribution of firearms to individuals unlawfully. In the Apalachee shooting, the firearm used was legally acquired and allegedly gifted to a minor.

How is this acceptable? Regardless of my child’s responsibility, I would never allow them access to a gun.

Indeed, Colin Gray, 54, the father of the 14-year-old involved in the Georgia shooting, faces multiple charges, including four counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of second-degree murder for allowing his son access to a lethal weapon.

We need to reduce the number of guns in our homes and schools. Moreover, Americans need improved access to healthcare for early diagnosis of mental health issues so that children can receive appropriate treatment rather than resorting to self-harm, violence, or suicide.

It is crucial to understand that exposure to violence, particularly involving firearms, traumatizes children. Preventing them from witnessing such trauma is vital for safeguarding their future well-being.

Ultimately, gun reform, improved mental health services, and better parenting are the key elements to ensure our children’s safety, not simply increasing armed security.

Marla Bautista is a military fellow columnist at YSL News Opinion.

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