Due to a recent devastation, the nation’s demand for secure school campuses  has intensified. There is now uncertainty to whether our school, or any other school in the nation, provides a safe learning environment for students.

In reaction to the shooting at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary school, parents are a little more mindful of the farewell they send their kids off with before school.

It’s really a question for the students to answer: how safe do you feel at school? Most students would reply that they feel fairly safe.

In earlier school months, looking around, one would see a welcoming campus. Gates would be open with students flowing in and out and security guards would be  permissive, even easygoing, when monitoring who entered the campus.

Now change is in the air; many gates are locked in the morning, attempting to ensure utmost safety. Closing a couple gates in the morning does not guarantee security, especially if there is an unlocked door a few yards away.

Also, that is not a way to control traffic in the east parking lot; cars still stop in the same area causing much backup and tension between the a.m. drivers.

If a dangerous intruder were to enter the campus, how would the student body defend themselves? Obviously, we would go into the routine lockdown situation as officers leaped into action. But what if it was too late and the trespasser had already entered a building or classroom?

Teachers and students should not be left defenseless in desperate circumstances like this. But many students are extremely opposed to the idea of teachers having a gun in the classroom.

That is understandable because that may lead to other issues, such as: students getting a hold on the gun, teachers not using the gun for the right reasons, and many accidents could occur.

Although a safe campus is desirable, students’ freedom is also essential. Students should not feel like their school is similar to a prison. School is a place to think freely and express oneself without concern.