Issue: Will Metal Detectors in High Schools Stop Students From Bringing Guns?

Barry Stone: Senior, Crenshaw High School “I don’t think it will make a big difference. There are so many ways to get into our school and someone could throw a gun over the fence to their friend. I know a few people who bring in guns. People have to make up their own minds, they have to want to stop bringing in guns for anything to change. A lot of people have fear in their heart that someone is going to harass them and a gun is the only protection they have. Some people might be afraid of getting caught by the metal detectors, but a lot of people might think, ‘What the hell, there’s always a way to do something.’ ”

Sun Kim: Senior, Belmont High School “If someone wants to bring a gun to school they will find a way. Even in maximum security prisons people smuggle in drugs and guns. A metal detector is a form of deterrence and it will make some kids think twice, the kids who are kind of shaky about it, but a kid who wants to bring a gun in will find a way. You need to be aware of who is around you so you don’t get caught in a tragedy. But it’s not that big of a concern for students here. There haven’t been many shootings here, only one that I remember, so it’s not a big problem.”

Brad Stosic: Teacher, Belmont High School “It will definitely be a deterrence, but it won’t solve the problem 100%. Students will be aware that they’ll be found out. It’s just one of the things that has to be done. We had a locker check recently; we didn’t find any guns and only one knife. We also need counseling, we need to be talking with parents and we need a closer involvement with the student body to help them keep control of their lives. We have to realize that these problems are socioeconomic problems too. Schools can work on the problem, but they can’t solve it. It has to be a citywide and nationwide effort that involves employment, counseling and support for school programs.”

Michelle Munoz: Parent “I think it’s a great idea. It means more safety for students and teachers. I think it will definitely stop kids from bringing in guns. They should also close down all but one of the entrances and add more police around the schools. As a parent, I think about safety a lot. Parents worry about their kids. You go outside the schools and there’s a bunch of gangbangers on one corner and another bunch on another corner and there are a lot of fights between them.”