In February alone, there were at least 13 instances of guns being brought to local schools in and around Wake County. In response, several school districts in the area have decided to install weapons detection systems in their schools. Johnson County has already started the installation. Nash and Harnett County are just several more voting to do so as well. Yet the Wake County Public School Board and district administration have decided NOT to follow suit. Our Head of Security recently voiced his opinion that the systems are ineffective at stopping weapons from entering schools – a direct contradiction to the beliefs of Wake County Sherriff Willie Rowe.  Our Head of Security further stated that since there are other ways weapons can be brought into the buildings, weapon detection systems will not work nor is it feasible to cover every entrance. If this were true, then why do government buildings, airports, entertainment venues, Duke University hospitals, and other schools utilize weapons detection systems? 

Charlotte Mecklenburg schools, similar in size to Wake County, have scanners at the front entrances of their schools. Following installation, weapons found on school property dramatically decreased after dozens were found. Guildford county has installed weapons detectors. This year, these systems have stopped at least two loaded guns from being brought into school. 

Based on Charlotte’s spending, Wake County could equip our schools for a fraction of this year’s school budget.

Instead, our school district continues to TALK about the issue of guns in schools instead of implementing MEANINGFUL ACTION to protect our students. They continue to analyze issues. They have decided talking about how to safely store guns at home and identify potential warning signs is more effective. However, how many times have we heard after the murder of children that there were signs that we missed? How many times have we heard that a weapon was purchased or easily obtained when it shouldn’t have been? A research study conducted by Northwestern University found that over half of the kids in the study could gain access at home to a loaded firearm in less than one hour. 

Wake County Schools will be implementing a system to identify visitors to our schools. While needed, it is the students who have recently brought guns on campus and the number of incidences is increasing - across all grade levels. Currently, we have no way to stop a student from bringing a gun on campus. There is no detection system for that and a general ability to check backpacks is against the rules.  

The time for discussion has passed. Now is the time for action. Our children should be learning to build their futures at school, not risk losing the chance to have one. We should be doing all that we can to protect our children. If just one gun is kept off campus, isn’t that worth it? How many more children must we bury in the ground? What is Wake County waiting for? The answer very well may be unthinkable.

It is clear from the recent actions of our school board and district administrators that we can no longer rely on them to keep our children safe. They campaigned on school safety and transparency and yet nothing has changed. Therefore, it is up to us, as parents, to fight loudly and continuously for our children. Please sign this petition demanding our school board and our district administrators take action NOW. Weapon detection systems and processes must be put in place NOW. We must take immediate action to save our children before more heartbreak happens.