I really do not think that I was the only teacher during the 1997-1998 school year to believe that a kid would bring a gun to school. But in my district, then, it sure seemed like it. 1996 to 1998 were not quiet years in schools when it came to gun violence, especially in “unexpected” school districts. I was cognizant of behavior patterns and access to weapons. And I knew we were not some special immune district. I did work with humans after all.
I may have been unique in questioning administration though, well at least in my district. My book does detail the responses from parents and teachers. The parents wrote letters, so did certain staff. The correspondence is telling. What I wrote about teachers’ insight would be, at least in a court of law, considered hearsay. But, after my workshop request to particular staff, no one could fain ignorance. They could all be called in a trial to speak for themselves.
In almost every incidence of violence in a school setting (not only gun violence), one will hear naive statements, and often, “the safety and well being of the students is the top priority” right after the damage had been done.
If a trial is held, defense lawyers outright lie, using terms like unprecedented, unthinkable, unpredictable, “who would ever think a young child would bring a gun?”. Then you hear could, would and should. The lawyer in the recent dismissed trial of the VP liked could and should, except when it came to his client. Her defense lawyer in the civil trial, which the VP lost, used “unthinkable “.
So, in this blog post, I have listed 12 videos or news stories that discuss what happens after a kid brings a gun to school. Don’t let the naive and stupid; administrators trying to save face; or a lawyer offering bs lines to protect (the people who did nothing or failed to be proactive) get away with ignorant statements. Be proactive. If you need examples, share these videos or this post.
It is almost summer, with school heading to seasonal breaks. You should have time to review. The oldest link is 18 years old. They are not in any order but all are related to children under 8 years old. These are American schools but violence in a school is not unique to America.
Remember, you could be the one with a needed puzzle piece. What would you do to prevent a violent attack in your school? After the fact, the law will be made clear to you what should have been done.
https://youtu.be/svOk6Dthky0?si=i8uNWVt0dJLFl31
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18pCwgPzYf/
https://youtu.be/gx2nTgSkbsc?si=_-b9Y4-RjPiJJfgZ
https://youtu.be/gx2nTgSkbsc?si=9fEt44Gw_KPhutth
https://youtu.be/HxmEpZfkXFo?si=i8U_PYRoKqgi7xt9
https://youtu.be/dSAma5OSD5M?si=V6vTdYJGzmNVehn5
https://youtu.be/ddmupe5Z4rM?si=rgAXWFCPZjpwUzTz
https://youtube.com/shorts/CPLTg916LUU?si=ACHhth8Xj08ahu22
https://youtu.be/lOGJO3ojK2k?si=Mh5KwuaPX3Wyx1jO
https://youtu.be/9uzDvOlTakM?si=TRxBN3vDXe8ybi9f
https://youtube.com/shorts/KvslMqFiA4o?si=lUsN7AYQ95b_yqF4
https://youtu.be/6tZ_J3RE3yw?si=usRaFN1mieXF-SZE
https://youtu.be/2816d_jT_w8?si=hL5wyfTOYx3w4UAs
Marian R. Carlino
May 26, 2026