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I bought my boys bulletproof backpacks...they are nervous about school shootings, and school starts the 15th. The packs were over $100 each--I'm hoping they won't fall apart as quickly as the non-bulletproof kind do.

How do other parents cope with fear of school massacres?

Carin 8 Aug 11
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11

Americans are being unduly influenced by the demagoguery and by the gratuitous over-reporting of the media relative to shootings way beyond the statistical likely threats to your child's life. You do not have to take my word for it, you may want to do a search on "deaths from overdoses, deaths from medical mistakes" (that is a big one at 250,000 per annum in the U.S.). Note that none of the sources you will find on the Internet that list those deaths are from pro-gun sources. It is obvious that there is little interest on behalf of the news sources to publicize those more numerous deaths inasmuch as they fail to garner the intense emotional response as do shooting deaths, especially school and mass shootings.

I short, your children are more likely to be killed in a traffic accident on their way to school, die from errant medical treatment after the accident or become addicted and die from a drug overdose than they are to be shot in a school shooting incident.

A noble effort to marginalize and trivialize rational fear to a growing problem.

@UrsiMajor When the fear is out of PROPORTION to the actual risk, then the fear is not RATIONAL. If you cannot accept that, then your emotions are rendering you irrational and your opinion is therefore valueless.

@dahermit I think it is on par with wearing a life jacket in a boat. I can swim pretty well, yet here we are in a life jacket. And by the way, nobody dislikes kids more than me.

So you are a gun fanatic? You sound like one.

@Carin I am a logic fanatic. Are you a masturbation fanatic?

@dahermit You are quite unpleasant. Blocking you.

11

If it makes the kids feel better, do it. Fuck these folks on this site that call it over reacting. They are your kids.

Awwwe i felt really good about my cheerieos idea. But fair enough.

@NoPlanetB yes, children are well known for being reasonable humans 🙄

@Marcie1974 I am so thankful I did not have parents like you and PlanetB. Geez!

@Sticks48 Me?

I’m pretty sure @PlanetB and I are on the opposite sides of this.

@Marcie1974 I apologize Marcie. I read what you said wrong. It didn't sound like you. I am truly sorry.

@Sticks48 no worries....I’m not always super articulate.

@Marcie1974 Me either. 🙂

@NoPlanetB Of course they did and empathy too. You should try it. If you can't spend a couple of hundred dollars to make your children feel secure' you are not only cheap, but a lousy parent, period. To expect a child to understand all of this shit is ridiculous. Depending on where you live also has a lot to do with it. When you live in a state where there are six guns for every man, woman, and child, and I know a lot of folks who don't own a gun, you do think about it I am sure if you are a parent.

@NoPlanetB We were done before here. You just didn't realize it. 🙂

@NoPlanetB One loses the debate when one resorts to memes. Lets see, I have eleven likes so far you have zero, but who's keeping score? 🙂

10

My gawd, we live in such a fucked up world.

10

I am a teacher. If it makes the children feel better than it's a good investment. While it is statistically unlikely to happen, the fear is real.

I started teaching at the elementary level in 1979. When I retired in 2010 I had gone from schools with all the entrances and classroms unlocked to the campus being locked down all day with a key card needed to get in or escorted in after the day begins. Different times to be sure.

@Sierra4 yes it is. Sad and sorrowful times.

9

There are many other more likely dangers you and your bous should worry about.

It's a bit like worrying a plane can fall on your head: It would indeed suck, but it's very much unlikely

Edu_0 Level 4 Aug 11, 2019

Do you have school age kids? Your response was extremely insensitive

@NoPlanetB so she and her children aren’t allowed to be fearful? Or anyone else for that matter? Stuff your emotions down?

I was very relieved when my youngest graduated this year and wasn’t in a school building every day. There were a couple lockdowns during the last year. But the fear I felt while waiting to hear why it was in lockdown was probably just overreacting right?

@Marcie1974 Would you rather be coddled with "sensitivity" or told the truth?

@dahermit both actually. Why are you assuming she didn’t also talk to her kids about the unlikelihood of a shooting happening in their school? But if a person is sensitive, I think those emotions should also be considered.

We are pretty safety conscious in general. Swim lessons, smoke alarms, strong anti-smoking and anti-alcohol upbringing, always use seatbelts and teach them how to act around dogs to not be bitten.

8

This fucking country

Marz Level 7 Aug 11, 2019
7

I personally believe it's over-reacting, but I'm not you or your kids.

You do whatever you feel is necessary to keep your kids sane and safe.

Definitely not over reacting, do you have school aged children?

@Marcie1974 No, but I have a school age grandson.

If I can respect your reaction and how you handled it, you should be able to respect mine.

I don't think it's over-reacting to take reasonable safety measures.

6

This is the suggestion from probably my strongest gun advocate and hardcore conservative friend on facebook. She's also one of those off-the-grid/anti-government homesteading types. If this saves one life from a re-post- so be it.

I like that idea. Even though I think an arm can go thru there. If it offers the illusion of safety for kids it's well worth it.

really good idea.

6

I’d never heard of bulletproof backpacks. Now that I have, I’m just sad there’s a reason for them. 😞

I know!

6

I'm so sorry that you have to go to these ridiculous lengths because your government is too weak to take a stand against violence.

6

That's one of the many things in this world that I accept as a possibility. It's highly unlikely that one of my kids will be killed in a school shooting but it is likely that one of them will encounter one of the many dangers kids face all the time. Traffic accidents, experimenting with drugs, just doing plain stupid things... any number of things could kill or permanently harm one of my kids and there's only so much I can do to protect them. I do what I can and that done, I let go of all the worries and concerns over all the things that might happen. It's all any person can do.

5

As a parent in Colorado it's definitely something that is on my mind frequently. My 9 year old is starting 4th grade next week. Her school is a new construction with bullet proof glass in the entry and is locked except for key card access. They do shooter and lockdown training and the county sheriff's department frequently have officers on patrol during drop off/pick up times.

I cope by trying to keep mind that she is in good hands and a shooting situation is unlikely to happen. However I do temper this by doing my best to be more alert and not complacent when I'm on campus for drop off/pick up for anything or person(s) that seem out of place. I try to be as situationally aware of my surroundings as possible and talk to my daughter about this as well.

We have had several high profile shootings in Colorado over the years in both schools and other public places: [en.m.wikipedia.org] so even though I know it's statistically unlikely to happen I would be remiss not to prepare myself if something does happen. We recently had an active shooter training at my office in Denver as well so I do take it very seriously.

I think your investment in backpacks is appropriate (not that you need my validation). If anything, as teachers have mentioned in this discussion, the peace of mind will be good for them and their learning environment.

Yes, since we moved to CO it's been on our minds, though their last school in Mississippi had an incident before moved there, and had shooter drills etc. They supplied kids with mesh backpacks so they could see if they had weapons (I guess) which were mandatory. I know the risk of a shooting is low but as parent still I worry.

5

American children are 82% more likely to die of gun violence in their own school than children in any other country.

While the actual odds are not very high that your child will be in a school shooting there is still a possibility.

Talk to your kids about befriending the loners and standing up for kids that are getting bullied.

@NoPlanetB Here's one study that puts the odds at 70%.
[vox.com]

@sewchick57 Is correlation synonym with causation? Consider that for years it has been stated that poverty causes crime in the U.S. Inasmuch as most of the non-mass shootings happen in economically depressed areas amongst gang members it would suggest that is true. Consider than, that the wealthy nations where school (and all shootings) are rare, could it be that the higher standard of living in those countries is a major factor in not only fewer school shootings, but low crime rates in general?

I feel very strongly about them being nice to all kids and I think they try to be nice to less popular kids. I know the chances of a school shooting are low but I want to make sure they are as safe as they can be.

@Carin What makes you think that a "bullet proof" backpack is actually "bullet proof"? And, at what level of protection (level one, two, three?) has it been tested? How effective would a bullet proof backpack be if it is on a kid's back? Will would be shooters be aware that "some" backpacks may be "bullet proof" and shoot for the head or an area not covered by the backpack? There is ZERO data that suggests that "bullet proof" backpacks will save anyone. Note that beck in the days before Blaze Orange (about fourteen hunters were killed during the deer hunting season here in Michigan), there were companies selling Red Deer Hunting coats with fiberglass panels in them...implying that the panels provided some protection from bullets from deer hunters, when in reality fiberglass panels offer NO protection from rifle bullets.

@dahermit That's what they are advertised as. I don't know what a school shooter thinks of them. I really don't care if you approve or not.

5

I have the luxury of living in Australia and I just feel so sorry for parents in America. The frequency & ferocity of these shootings has become a copycat cult. Only strong legislation can curb it.

It’s especially frustrating that the gun nuts refuse to even consider to look at why other countries don’t have mass shootings. They cling to their firearms

5

So very sad 😢

bobwjr Level 10 Aug 11, 2019
4

I'm a teacher in a high school. I'm also a parent. My children are adults. As a parent you do what you need to to keep them safe and emotionally healthy. They need backpacks so purchasing the ones that help with peace of mind in my opinion is a good choice if you can afford them. Children can't learn if they are fearful (Maslows Hierarchy of Needs) Over the last several years I've experienced an increase in threats to the schools in my area. We've had lockdowns and threats which upset kids of all ages. I mentally prepare for the worse, thinking about my students proximity to my classroom, exits, etc. and how to best get them to safety. All the teachers I know do this and I'm sure your children's teachers are doing this as well.

Yes, they needed packs anyway and these look "normal"-- they didn't want anything that might look weird to their friends. Their old school had drills and one lockdown which the more sensitive of the 2 found scary. Both their old and new schools have armed guards.

4

This posting is difficult to process and most comments will have the risk to land on the wrong side of too many points of view. Clearly the system is falling short and we must do dilligence with what we can. Awareness is one contributor that may help ourselves.

4

I consider it a Republican inflicted travesty that we have to even consider such purchases.

@jorj Many mass shooters come from two parent homes. You say that guns have always been here. Yes, but, NEVER before has gun ownership been so widespread. Not since the 1880s in the American west have there been widespread "open carry." . I grew up in the rural south "where most households had guns for hunting and for getting rid of dangerous and predatory varmints, but most people did not own pistols and NO ONE owned assault rifles. They did not struct around with ""open carry."

The idea that we needed guns to protect ourselves from other people seldom entered our minds, and NO ONE thought that we needed guns to protect ourselves from a predatory government, or to rebel from that government. Those ideas are the result of the vicious ideology of the reactionary right, and the fear and loathing of the white supremacist right. The NRA has added fuel to the fire.

Place the blame where it belongs and stop trying to promote a false narrative.

@jorj Neither of the Columbine shooters were from a broken home. Get your facts straight. Still, every word that I stated is true, and you cannot refute them.

@jorj The NRA is inextricably linked with the Republican party and with laundered Russian money. Unfortunately, a few Democrats may be taking money from that morally bankrupt organization, but almost ALL of national level Republican politicians are. Again, get your facts straight before beating your gums.

@jorj I have provided facts. You only offer idle conjecture.

@jorj When you compare me with Alex Jones, that makes me legitimately angry. Jones is a vicious, greed, lying demagogue who makes up conspiracy theories, not because he believes them, but because he makes money off of them by drawing in gullible people. I am an intelligent, well educated, critical thinking person with a lifetime of experience in many social and cultural contexts and with a very strong personal moral code. When you compare me with Jones you are casually and carelessly attempting to demean and defame me simply because I disagree with you. That is despicable!!. I can't help it if you cannot recognize facts.

4

ALL LIVES MATTER!!!

We must have a license to drive, we have to register a vehicle, a boat, yacht, all aircraft, hot air balloons, then we must have insurance to fly and drive them!

We must have insurance to used them!!!

Seems that since owning a vehicle, water craft or flying craft which can cause massive property Damage, murderous death, near fatal, and permanent life long injuries, we are require to be licensed to use them, register to use them, and have insurance to operate them!!!

We should be able to license the user, the weapon, and have at least liability insurance to cover the probability of property damage, injury, and death by any weapon!

The constitution does not give the right to license the driver, the car, the water craft, aircraft, or that you must have insurance!!!

The Second amendment does not state that you have to have a license or insurance!

Both types of technology can be and are use as lethal weapons in the wrong hands!!!

Yet, the states issue licenses for driving, vehicle, watercraft, and require insurance,
the Federal government requires a license to Pilot an aircraft, the aircraft to be registered, and a license to work on them.

The politicians need to stop hiding behind the second amendment as some kind of get out of jai free card!

I am a gunowner who has been shot, stabbed, and blown up in the time of war, fighting for this country!

It is time to stop playing all out word games!!!

Firearms no matter what type or caliber need to be regulated, Period!

We regulate any and all vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft, hence why can we not regulate gun use and ownership?

"We regulate any and all vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft, hence why can we not regulate gun use and ownership?"
Where in the Constitution does it say there there is a "Right" to own "vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft"?
I must be missing it when I read my copy of the Constitution.

Because the NRA has many members of the government in their back pocket...that's why.

Please don’t confuse your privileges from your Rights. Be careful of the differences in the two. Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater as the saying goes. Review your Rights in a copy of our United States Constitution.

To those too stupid to read or comprehend what I have posted!

Reread the the part of the post you moronically misquoted below:

We must have a license to drive, we have to register a vehicle, a boat, yacht, all aircraft, hot air balloons, then we must have insurance to fly and drive them!

We must have insurance to used them!!!

The constitution does not give the right to license the driver, the car, the water craft, aircraft, or that you must have insurance!!!

The Second amendment does not state that you have to have a license or insurance!

Both types of technology can be and are use as lethal weapons in the wrong hands!!!

Yet, the states issue licenses for driving, vehicle, watercraft, and require insurance, the Federal government requires a license to Pilot an aircraft, the aircraft to be registered, and a license to work on them.

It is time to stop playing all out word games!!!

NOTE:

All full automatic weapons, surpressors are under Federal law a Class Three weapon. Which are registered and licensed, the owners of such weapons must be Registered and Licensed by local, state, and Federal laws. They are required to be fully vetted by intense background checks!

Hence if the State and Federal government can and all ready regulate, register, and license fully automatic weapons and suppressors!

What would be the difference in doing the same to other weapons?

If the Government wants too and has the will too, they can control the ownership of weapons!

The ATF has a mandate right or wrong to enforce weapons use and ownership already!

I do not support those so called gun control methods, yet it is time to pull the plug for public safety, so you can be safe in schools and in public!!

4

i hope they were not manufacturered by any trumpians, including but not limited to the koch brothers.

g

3

I work in a school. The are 43 entry points into my school. I don't know about the bullet proof back packs. They don't cover the head. They are tickled under a seat while students are reading, listening to a lecture, or taking notes. Are they a false sense of security? I do not have the answers. I do advise a group of students in what we call our Peace Crew. We advocate see something, say something. Kindness and inclusion. We work with the ADL, and Sandy Hook Promise. The world has definitely changed.

Their school seems to have pretty good security. I had to get buzzed in to pay on their lunch account & they have guards. I don't know if their packs are with them at all times but they can hold them up to protect their heads or anything else.

3

I hope they never have to use them. I would worry about stealing perhaps?

They look like normal backpacks so I don't know if they would be stolen. The boys' names are on the inside.

3

I have twins, they are in college now, I don't know what to do, to keep them safe. I guess that's the most frightening part, not knowing what to do.

My boys are twins too.

3

I have been sitting here trying to think of things to do or say, but I can't think of the words.
Once your children leave for the day or move out when grown you fear for their safety.

3

What's next...Body armor uniforms???? So sad!!!!!

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