Don’t say we can’t fight school shootings. Clay County and North KC schools have a plan

It has been years since the Columbine and Sandy Hook Elementary shootings. But as the terrible events Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas, show, tragedies continue — and all the expected responses are already being made. Much hyperbole, generalization and some thoughtfulness have been voiced or written.

Based on my 34 years of experience, a short list of explanations, or combinations thereof, have emerged as causes for this and other tragedies that have occurred in this country. They are:

▪ The accessibility to firearms.

▪ Diminishing mental health services.

▪ Inane video game scenarios that glorify, in the mind of the player, killing.

▪ The near-rabid protection of Second Amendment rights, including military-grade weapons and clips.

▪ The shortcomings of school security.

Nearly all the above involve budgets, commerce or other economic elements. A fragmented list of solutions has been put forth, and nearly all have supporters and detractors. It is time for a comprehensive framework that could lead to meaningful outcome.

The Clay County sheriff’s office and North Kansas City School District recognized all five issues above in the mid-1990s, and their pathway to safety in both schools and the courthouse have been nearly flawless.

The sheriff’s office recognized a need for additional security in both building design and staffing after public building shootings in San Francisco, St. Louis, Topeka and elsewhere. It was about this time that the school shootings phenomenon began.

We decided to employ retired law enforcement officers to support deputies who provided for the safety of the James S. Rooney Courthouse in Liberty. The retired LEOs had decades of experience, did not require full-time benefits and wanted to supplement their modest retirement incomes.

Under federal law, retired law enforcement officers — LEOs — can carry their weapons concealed. Personnel costs were minimal. Multiple retired LEOs could be hired using funds previously used for full-time deputies. The hourly rate paid to the retired LEOs assisted them financially, and those dollars were put back into the community’s economy.

Forward-thinking school district administrators facilitated the placement of school resource deputies in each middle and high school in the North Kansas City School District. The present sheriff has supported and strengthened both the courthouse and school programs. No significant weapon-related incident or shooting has occurred.

The same concept could be implemented in our elementary schools, where our most vulnerable citizens spend large portions of their lives. Unlike school resource deputies, these experienced LEOs can wear blazers and present a softer image while being able to conceal their weapons and less than lethal devices. A ballistic vest can be worn under the shirt and blazer for officer safety. The training and experience these retired officers possess is significant and invaluable.

In terms of funding, nothing good comes free except for meaningful and substantive compromise. Now is the time for Second Amendment proponents to step to the plate. I propose a 1-3% user fee (based on suggested retail prices) at each point of a handgun’s life: when it is imported, manufactured, sold wholesale and sold retail. Admissions to gun shows and to target ranges, accessories, repairs and any other handgun activity would also carry user fees.

I believe that when faced with restrictive handgun laws, the 99% of responsible handgun owners and merchants would agree with this minimal fee to practice their Second Amendment rights.

Video games that focus on killing human beings would carry the same 1-3% fee. There should be reasonable costs to enjoy First and Second Amendment rights.

The fees collected would go to states’ public safety departments and supplement embarrassingly low funding for mental health services. In addition, fees could be directed to school districts and sheriffs’ offices for administering and compensating the retired LEOs. Money for modifying building entrances for safety could be provided by grant programs.

This plan blames no one part of the handgun-owning population, but instead addresses what we all know. People commit mass school shootings, but they use firearms to do it.

Does this plan satisfy those who think there are too many firearms in America today? No, and that issue will not be resolved anytime soon.

Do we have the time to delay? No.

The very least we can do is implement a program that is the least intrusive to each stakeholder. Firearms remain the right of responsible citizens. Elementary schools get trained and credible protection at minimum cost, and retired law enforcement officers are re-employed with purpose. Retailers and manufacturers continue business with law-abiding citizens. Mental health providers get funding for identifying and treating those in need. The video gamers continue to exercise their First Amendment rights.

Impossible to solve? Do we continue with the empty rhetoric? Or we could start doing what Americans do every day: Achieve the impossible.

This story was originally published May 25, 2022 at 5:00 AM.