Violence in schools across the United States has become an all too common fear for students, staff, and their families. This problem concerns me not only because I have loved ones in school, but because everyone has loved ones who attend school. 

Clear backpacks, safety drills, and awareness of peer behavior can only go so far. Students shouldn’t feel prepared; they should feel protected. We, as a country, can do more to prevent these violent incidents. Our schools need funding specifically for technology to ensure that weapons do not endanger students. 

Schools need funding for a variety of things, but the biggest priority to any student and their family is safety. Instead of later asking how violence could have been prevented, we should do everything in our power now to make sure it doesn’t occur. 

Our schools should be just as safe as an airport, a concert arena, a government building. Unfortunately, locked doors are no longer enough. We have the power to make change and protect our children’s future. We have the power to put safety measures into action. We have the power to ensure every child goes home at the end of the school day. 

We may not be able to make the outside world safer, but we can make our schools a place where students can worry less about the outside world. One life saved is worth every penny.