Metal detectors are a popular topic for discussing school safety and safety implementation measures. Twenty years ago, clients may have thought it unreasonable for you to suggest a school purchase deadly weapon protection liability. But times have changed, and risk managers are scrambling for innovative methods to keep children safe from an active shooter. One option is to install metal detectors. Should schools have metal detectors to help prevent shootings?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Detectors

Read the following pros and cons and decide for yourself.

Metal Detectors Prevent an Active Shooter from Entering Campus

The most obvious argument for a metal detector at an educational institution is that it prevents anyone from entering with a weapon. While it is theoretically possible to use a 3D printer to create a fully plastic gun, most weapons are metal. 

With a metal detector in place, school resource officers could stop would-be killers before they come in. Furthermore, just knowing that they must pass through a metal detector might prevent students from bringing a gun in their backpacks in the first place.

Everyone Feels Safer

Modern children and teenagers suffer from more anxiety than previous generations’ youth, and hearing the news about yet another school attack can make them feel uneasy about attending. Knowing their school has a metal detector may help these young people feel safer.

Purchasing a metal detector is also suitable for a school’s public image. It shows the community that the school board is willing to invest in safety. In these days of teacher shortages, the perception of a safe work environment can also go a long way toward employee retention rates.

Metal Detectors Are Costly

A basic walk-through metal detector can cost $4,000 or more. While this expense may easily fall within the budget of a fancy private institution, most public schools that rely on taxpayer dollars cannot afford it.

Furthermore, using a metal detector is more complex than it looks. Operators must receive training on setting sensitivity levels, troubleshooting problems, and interpreting readings from unusual items such as homemade explosives. This extra staffing requirement may be more than some districts can manage.

Metal Detectors Change a School’s Culture

A metal detector is not just another doorway students casually walk through each morning. Offloading keys and belt buckles before entry creates bottlenecks that make students late for class. If a hidden object sets off an alarm, an administrator must take time to search for the child carrying it.

Living in constant fear of an adult searching your backpack or clothing can change a school’s atmosphere from welcoming to hostile. It can also hurt students’ mental health, and damage strained relationships between children and teachers.

Insurance Covers Active Shooter Liability

Because the problem of preventing an active shooter on campus is so complex, you should leave the decision of whether or not to install metal detectors to education professionals. However, the answer to whether you should recommend active shooter insurance to your clients is still an unequivocal yes.

About PGUI

Professional Governmental Underwriters, LLC., is a full-service risk management company dedicated to assisting public, educational and non-profit entities in the management of their professional liability exposures including educators liability insurance. We are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art professional underwriting management and loss control advisory services on behalf of our designated carriers. For more information, call us toll-free at (800) 586-6502.