Campus Shootings Changes Back-to-School Shopping

Campus Shootings Change Back-to-School Shopping

Parents are finding themselves purchasing bulletproof items for their children to take to school with them.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Jul 27, 2018

Back-to-school shopping is not just for pencils, paper and tissues anymore. New bulletproof items purchased by parents to give their children to take to school with them is a sobering reminder that students are no longer preparing for academic subjects but for potential violence on campus.

Gun violence on campuses like Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and Santa Fe High School are changing the way parents are shopping for school supplies. Many parents have found it necessary to purchase items such as bulletproof panels and backpacks to protect their children at school.

One of the items that was circulated after the shootings in Florida and Texas was a bulletproof panel that students can insert in the backpack they already have. These panels have been making the rounds on social media. In a tweet, one teacher expressed her surprise seeing one of these panels in a preschooler's backpack.

"Seeing this broke my heart," the teacher who identifies herself as "Gaia" said on Twitter.

While the panels are a popular buy, parents are also turning towards bulletproof backpack options. For example, a pink bulletproof backpack called, "BulletBlocker NIJ IIIA Bulletproof My Child's Pack" is sold out online as of the middle of July. The backpack retails for $199.

A shopping mall in McAllen, Texas is also selling bulletproof backpacks to parents who have been affected by the events at Santa Fe High School. These backpacks fold out in order to protect the students entire body and are classified as "anti-ballistic school backpack for children."

"This is beyond depressing," Twitter user Sam Hooper said.

The move to buy bulletproof school supplies comes after the PDK Poll concluded the majority parents fear to send their children to school and are not confident in their school's security and safety.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services

  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.