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
  • July 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

  • Gun Violence Report Finds Retail Spaces, K-12 Schools Most Targeted

    ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced the release of its annual Gun Violence Report, offering a deep dive into the landscape of gun-related incidents across the United States. This analysis extends beyond mass fatality events, providing a more nuanced understanding of when, where, and why shootings occur. Read Now

  • Cybersecurity is An Overlooked Threat on K-12 Campuses

    Improving physical security on K-12 campuses is always at the top of mind for decision makers like principals, superintendents, and many others with a focus on surveillance cameras, access control, and emergency drills. But cybersecurity something that needs as much scrutiny as in today’s digital landscape. Read Now

    • Communication

  • Four Fathers Stop School Shooter at Weekend Band Competition in Texas

    An 83-year-old man allegedly injured one during a school shooting at a band competition in a Houston suburb. According to a Facebook post by the Pasadena Police Department, the shooting happened after 6 p.m. at Pasadena Memorial High School on Saturday. Read Now

  • Tennessee School Shooter Partially Livestreamed Attack that Killed One

    The school shooter who killed one during an attack in Nashville, Tenn. partially livestreamed the attack. Read Now

Most   Popular