In addition to strengthening efforts to force compliance with the law, we must consider sensible laws that will help ensure safer schools. Amongst the laws we should consider are rules requiring safety locks on guns and more aggressive background checks on gun purchases particularly at gun shows. These measured restrictions can potentially prevent guns from being used irresponsibly. Additional school security in the form of an increased police presence on campus will also help. I have introduced a measure, AB 1038, which would establish a security perimeter of 1,000 feet around a school.
Schools can adopt other security measures.
The installation of metal detectors has cut down on the number of weapons that students are able to sneak into schools. Student safety committees working with administrators would enable peers to express their concerns. Counselors can provide parents with a list of warning signs in their children s behavior. These government actions make schools safer, but they are not the solution to the present crisis. The ability to shape the values and attitudes of society places families and communities in the best position to address school violence.