Guns in DCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, DCPS middle schools are probably the safest in the area in terms of potential gun violence because of the metal detectors.

You have got to be joking. Google shootings just outside of schools in DC.

Google shootings outside or in schools in any area of the DMV...you will be surprised how many come up in Loudon, Reston, Gaithersburg, Frederick, Fairfax et al.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, DCPS middle schools are probably the safest in the area in terms of potential gun violence because of the metal detectors.

You have got to be joking. Google shootings just outside of schools in DC.

This thread and the post are about guns in schools in the hands of students.

No it’s not. OP is asking if there are policies that keep guns away from students. There is not and there are students who carry guns and fights and heated arguments just outside of schools lead to deadly shootings. In addition, gangs and drugs also add to the problem. It’s easy to target a kid when you know what school they go to.

Yes. But no one is targeting random kids just because they go to DCPS.

+1

There are two separate issues in this thread. I feel strongly about this topic as somebody who attended a school where there was a school shooting as a child. The overarching issue, which has nothing to do with DC schools is the ability for young people to access guns. Arguments and altercations have always happened, but when there is a gun involved, it is obviously a different ball game.

As somebody whose kids attend a DCPS middle school , I like the fact that they have metal detectors because it reassures me there will be no guns in the building. Also, the fact that they collect cell phones in DC middle schools impacts altercations and fights as well. Obviously someone can still target somebody outside of a school regardless of cell phone policies, but there has been research about reductions in altercations and fights when kids don’t have their cell phones to share information or build/hype up a beef or fight.

Unfortunately, at this point guns are prevalent in all corners of our society regardless of where you live. You will need to have a conversation with your kid about the topic. And statistically your kid is safer from mass/school shooting type events if they are in DC.

Can you give a source for your statement in bold? I find it hard to believe. There were five mass shooting in DC in 2024 alone.

https://dcwitness.org/data-shows-five-mass-shootings-in-dc-in-2024/

Sure these are usually a targeted shooting, but there are plenty of people killed in DC caught in the crossfire, including toddlers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, DCPS middle schools are probably the safest in the area in terms of potential gun violence because of the metal detectors.

You have got to be joking. Google shootings just outside of schools in DC.

This thread and the post are about guns in schools in the hands of students.

OP mentioned the shooting at the track meet. So events like this shouldn’t factor into school safety because they aren’t physically in the building?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, DCPS middle schools are probably the safest in the area in terms of potential gun violence because of the metal detectors.

You have got to be joking. Google shootings just outside of schools in DC.

This thread and the post are about guns in schools in the hands of students.

OP mentioned the shooting at the track meet. So events like this shouldn’t factor into school safety because they aren’t physically in the building?

Well OP, who seems to have not uncluched their pearls long enough to return, posted asking about guns “in DCPS.”

[Anonymous]

The last 2 post above, this is crazy.

Parents like these justifying or trying to say young kids having guns in DC and near schools are not a problem are just in total denial.

OP’s kid has PTSD from a witness shooting and people are saying this is not an issue or that OP is pearl clutching. See if you feel the same if it was your kid.

OP get out of DCPS and the city. Your kid needs help if he is still having nightmares. You need to get your kid completely out of any potential situation with guns. Just move a few miles out to the burbs and you won’t have to deal with any of this sh*t and your kid will be better for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The last 2 post above, this is crazy.

Parents like these justifying or trying to say young kids having guns in DC and near schools are not a problem are just in total denial.

OP’s kid has PTSD from a witness shooting and people are saying this is not an issue or that OP is pearl clutching. See if you feel the same if it was your kid.

OP get out of DCPS and the city. Your kid needs help if he is still having nightmares. You need to get your kid completely out of any potential situation with guns. Just move a few miles out to the burbs and you won’t have to deal with any of this sh*t and your kid will be better for it.

We’re not saying it’s not a problem. It absolutely is a problem. OP seems to be new to DC, not read the news, or live in a bubble. How could you live in DC for any amount of time and not know there is gun violence here, specifically near schools? What were you expecting? It to not come to Deal?

OP also asked about policies. And never answered my question about what kind of policy they are thinking that would keep a weapon out of the hands of someone determined to have one. So yes, OP seems to be clutching their pearls about gun violence because suddenly it impacted their child and they didn’t think that was ever going to happen in whatever bubble they live in. Now that they have experienced the trauma of gun violence of course they notice and are rightfully worried. Your last paragraph says it all, OP is not cut out for city living. Gun violence is a real issue and requires real work and real knowledge.

[Anonymous]

OP here, the PP is absolutely right, I’m not equipped to deal with guns in schools. That’s why I asked about policies that are in effect now. I know about some of them, based on the two expire we’ve had so far, I just don’t know if this is usual or if my kid is an outlier.

And no, I don’t know what policies would work, I’m not an expert, hence my question. Just trying to do the best I can. Thanks for the constructive responses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, the PP is absolutely right, I’m not equipped to deal with guns in schools. That’s why I asked about policies that are in effect now. I know about some of them, based on the two expire we’ve had so far, I just don’t know if this is usual or if my kid is an outlier.

And no, I don’t know what policies would work, I’m not an expert, hence my question. Just trying to do the best I can. Thanks for the constructive responses.

I would say for WOTP your kid is an outlier to have experienced gun violence trauma. EOTP they would be an outlier for not experiencing gun violence trauma until fifth grade.

The policy answer is that there is no effective policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, DCPS middle schools are probably the safest in the area in terms of potential gun violence because of the metal detectors.

You have got to be joking. Google shootings just outside of schools in DC.

Does DC have "gun free zones" the way they have "drug free zones"? Like even "legal" possession of a gun in a zone around a school would be illegal and any unlawful possession would be a heightened crime?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does DCPS have any policies other than metal detectors that keep guns say from our students? My kid was told in lower elementary by a classmate that there was a gun in the school. Then this year, in 5th, he witnessed the Track meet shooting up close. He’s has been having occasional nightmares since. He’s about to star MS and I’m terrified for him and looking into moving to Arlington. Is this the usual experience for DCPS kids?

OP, I hope you have access to counseling for your child. I happen to be reading The Body Keeps the Score and it discusses at length situations like your son witnessed and their damaging effects, potentially into adulthood. Look into PTSD and please make sure he can access therapy. Sending hugs. I’m so sorry he witnessed that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, the PP is absolutely right, I’m not equipped to deal with guns in schools. That’s why I asked about policies that are in effect now. I know about some of them, based on the two expire we’ve had so far, I just don’t know if this is usual or if my kid is an outlier.

And no, I don’t know what policies would work, I’m not an expert, hence my question. Just trying to do the best I can. Thanks for the constructive responses.

I would say for WOTP your kid is an outlier to have experienced gun violence trauma. EOTP they would be an outlier for not experiencing gun violence trauma until fifth grade.

The policy answer is that there is no effective policy.

Most elementary kids EOTP have not experienced gun violence. So much misinformation on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, the PP is absolutely right, I’m not equipped to deal with guns in schools. That’s why I asked about policies that are in effect now. I know about some of them, based on the two expire we’ve had so far, I just don’t know if this is usual or if my kid is an outlier.

And no, I don’t know what policies would work, I’m not an expert, hence my question. Just trying to do the best I can. Thanks for the constructive responses.

I would say for WOTP your kid is an outlier to have experienced gun violence trauma. EOTP they would be an outlier for not experiencing gun violence trauma until fifth grade.

The policy answer is that there is no effective policy.

Most elementary kids EOTP have not experienced gun violence. So much misinformation on this thread.

Do you consider lock downs (not drills) traumatic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, the PP is absolutely right, I’m not equipped to deal with guns in schools. That’s why I asked about policies that are in effect now. I know about some of them, based on the two expire we’ve had so far, I just don’t know if this is usual or if my kid is an outlier.

And no, I don’t know what policies would work, I’m not an expert, hence my question. Just trying to do the best I can. Thanks for the constructive responses.

I would say for WOTP your kid is an outlier to have experienced gun violence trauma. EOTP they would be an outlier for not experiencing gun violence trauma until fifth grade.

The policy answer is that there is no effective policy.

Most elementary kids EOTP have not experienced gun violence. So much misinformation on this thread.

Do you consider lock downs (not drills) traumatic?

All schools across the country even in super safe Arlington have lock down drills.

I would have said kids are traumatized about lock down drills. But having gone through one at an elementary school kids found it a mild inconvenience (I tried to hide tears thinking why we were getting low).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, the PP is absolutely right, I’m not equipped to deal with guns in schools. That’s why I asked about policies that are in effect now. I know about some of them, based on the two expire we’ve had so far, I just don’t know if this is usual or if my kid is an outlier.

And no, I don’t know what policies would work, I’m not an expert, hence my question. Just trying to do the best I can. Thanks for the constructive responses.

I would say for WOTP your kid is an outlier to have experienced gun violence trauma. EOTP they would be an outlier for not experiencing gun violence trauma until fifth grade.

The policy answer is that there is no effective policy.

Most elementary kids EOTP have not experienced gun violence. So much misinformation on this thread.

Do you consider lock downs (not drills) traumatic?

All schools across the country even in super safe Arlington have lock down drills.

I would have said kids are traumatized about lock down drills. But having gone through one at an elementary school kids found it a mild inconvenience (I tried to hide tears thinking why we were getting low).

Specifically said lock downs, NOT drills. Like kids hiding in a corner trying to stay quiet because there is a risk they may get shot.

Is that traumatic? I think so. Each time we have one of those, that’s an entire school impacted by gun violence.

How about a shooting in the community? A shooting of a student? Hearing gun shots while on the playground? Does a child have to be hit with a bullet to experience trauma?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, DCPS middle schools are probably the safest in the area in terms of potential gun violence because of the metal detectors.

You have got to be joking. Google shootings just outside of schools in DC.

Google shootings outside or in schools in any area of the DMV...you will be surprised how many come up in Loudon, Reston, Gaithersburg, Frederick, Fairfax et al.

Oh come on. We all know the incident is highest in DC than any other surrounding counties. DC 30 times more than VA. DC 10 times more than MD. See article below.

“Virginia experienced about three school-adjacent shootings per 100,000 residents. Maryland had about nine school-adjacent shootings. In D.C., that number was 90 shootings per 100,000 residents.”

https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/i-tell-her-its-fireworks-how-dc-shootings-affected-564-of-566-schools/3784685/