School shootings are on the rise in the United States, and little is being done to prevent them. Not only should we have new laws at the state and federal level that deal with gun safety, but we should also implement school policies which keep staff and students safe. In order to increase school safety, we need armed security at all schools in the U.S. because they are able to disable school shooters in a shorter period of time and reduce violence at schools. It is one step in the right direction to reduce casualties from happening. 

  First off, we need armed security guards at school because law enforcement is not always at the scene right away. According to Image Repository, after a study of 51 school shooting cases, the average time it took for law enforcement to arrive was about three minutes, with times ranging from less than one minute all the way to 15 minutes. Additionally, the average length of a shooting incident is 12.5 minutes, so if we can reduce the time window of a school shooting, we will be able to prevent more innocent lives from being lost. 

  Most importantly, armed security guards are able to disarm or disable an active school shooter. For example, according to the New York Times, in 2018, a school officer from Dixson, Ill. chased a gunman off campus and shot the perpetrator who intended on shooting up the school. A 2013 study by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center showed that one third of active shooter cases are ended by lethal force by police or bystanders. This is a significant amount, and proves that armed security guards would make a difference when it comes to stopping a school shooter.  

  In conclusion, armed security won’t end school shootings, but they will reduce the number of casualties. They will bring a sense of safety around schools. Some might argue, armed security guards would create a mindset of fear, with the possibility of students being able to get their hands on the firearms, but with the right training and precautions, students will not have to worry. I would even suggest having guns locked up in a safe until the case of an emergency arises to ensure student safety. More precautions must be put in place to ensure the safety of students. The only thing that’s going to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.