What to Do if a Student Brings a Weapon to School

How do you handle weapons in your school? Learn how to get guns and knives out of the classroom.

School shootings have plagued the nation in 2023. Violence is on the rise, and guns are easy to obtain. More students than you would expect bring weapons to school regularly. The deadly surge in violence has affected schools regardless of demographics. Knives in pockets, rifles in vehicles, and handguns in backpacks jeopardize student and staff safety daily.

You must take action to reduce risk in the classroom. Specific steps will enable you to identify threats and protect your school community.

• How can you identify which students are carrying weapons?
• What steps should you take to monitor student behavior?
• What laws apply to school security?
• What guidance have agencies and associations provided to schools?
• How should you respond to the report of a gun at school?
• What are the best practices for working with law enforcement?