by Anika LeeVan
Oakland University in southeast Michigan is going to give students each a hockey puck to defend themselves from an active shooter.
There are many flaws to this method and should only be used if the students cannot flee or hide. Ready.gov said fighting back is the absolute last resort.
While Oakland’s defense strategy is very unusual, other colleges just go with the basics: flee, hide, or fight.
Bates University, Manhattanville University, and Ithaca College all say that if there is a shooter in school, always first try to flee or hide before attacking.
“As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her,” said bates.edu.
Bates University and Manhattanville University both shared students should always go in numbers.
If there is an active shooter in school, stay with an adult or an officer. Always listen to directions before doing anything else.
Metal detectors are becoming more popular throughout schools, to prevent danger from coming in.
Other schools instead, have hand wands. They can detect metal objects that could possibly be weapons.
Clay High School Assistant Principal Denise Boyd said “We have hand wands that we could use to detect metal objects [which could be] possible weapons.”
High schools and colleges around the area usually have at least one police officer on campus at all times.
Even though the Washington Post reported it is “extraordinarily rare” to have a shooting in your school, it is good to always be prepared.