Sheepdogs for Lambs: Meaningful Action in Schools

Tragic recent events have restarted a debate in Washington about what politicians can to do to protect school children. President Obama has called for “meaningful action” to prevent killings. I agree, we need meaningful action.

As I listened to the news reports, I realized that there is nothing that politicians can do to prevent school shootings, but that doesn’t mean that nothing can be done.

Since the Gun Control Act of 1968 following the Kennedy assassination, we have seen a parade of ineffective attempts at gun control which have done nothing to prevent violence. Criminals and terrorists do not obey laws. Lawyers and legislators know little about guns and violence.

What did stop this particular coward was armed men and women. As soon as the police arrived, he killed himself. This is common in these kinds of crimes.

The question is, how do we get trained armed men and women into schools faster? A simple non-political solution is to invite off duty and retired cops to volunteer at a specific school for one or two days a month. At no cost, 15 or so volunteer cops and former cops could provide 100% armed coverage.

Police officers are armed and trained. They are authorized to carry concealed and they are motivated to protect kids. If we start with cop parents and grandparents protecting their own and mix in a few cop friends, we can do this. No legislation, no new training, we can just DO this.

Give a cop a place to sit near the door. Let them eat lunch in the cafeteria. Let them watch and help. When the wolf comes, they will know what to do.

My working name for this project is “Sheepdogs for Lambs.” I believe that the men and women who volunteer should carry concealed and be low-profile. We can get International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, the National Tactical Officers Association, and the NRA Law Enforcement Division to develop classes in the near future, but we don’t need to wait. Today, we can start making schools safer.

I would encourage school administrators to put this program in place immediately. I would tell parents and kids that there are strong and brave men and women who will be there and not hesitate to place themselves between kids and danger. I would let the community know that there is ARMED protection at the school.

Terrorist planners around the world are watching. We have seen what they did at Beslan. We have found school plans in caves in Afghanistan. Let’s step forward, not in fear, but in cold calm resolve. Never again.

Not on my watch.