If we are interested in having a productive conversation about mass shootings in America – and I don’t for one moment believe that we are – the first thing we need to do is agree on what the actual problem is.

Right now, in the wake of the Parkland high school murders, there are two competing ideas.  One side believes that the problem is school safety, while the other side thinks the problem is safety in schools, churches, nightclubs, concerts, university classrooms, and everywhere else in America.

The difference in these views is significant.  If all you want to address is school shootings, then hardening schools might make sense. Even a crackpot idea like arming teachers might be worth discussing. On the other hand, if your goal is to make every place in America safer from mass casualty attacks from terrorists, disgruntled ex-employees, angry ex-spouses, and mentally disturbed ex-students, then hardening schools and arming teachers are ineffective options, and your discussion must be much more wide-ranging.

In general, the most effective voices for action – led by Parkland survivors –  are focusing their efforts on school safety. Unfortunately, school safety is just one element of a much more complicated problem, which includes shootings in churches, nightclubs, university classrooms, country-western concerts, army bases, county offices, and everywhere else.

April 26, 2018