Two school districts in Michigan have prohibited students from carrying backpacks into campus, with one district claiming many cases of students bringing firearms to school.
Backpack Ban in Michigan
In a report by CNN, a statement from Grand Rapids Public Schools was released on Wednesday, May 10, announcing the district's decision to ban backpacks after the discovery of a loaded pistol in the bag of a third-grader. This is the fourth firearm to be confiscated from a kid this school year.
The statement said that in three of the four occurrences, the firearms were discovered in backpacks.
Leadriane Roby, Grand Rapids Public Schools superintendent, stated, "This is not a decision we've taken lightly and we know this poses a significant inconvenience for our families. I am more than frustrated that a decision like this is necessary, but we must put safety first and that's what this decision is about."
Roby confirmed that this is only the beginning of a much larger discussion on how to keep the kids safe in today's ever-evolving world.
The statement also said that the prohibition will remain in effect until further notice.
The new policy in Grand Rapids followed the May 1 backpack ban in another Michigan school district, Flint Community Schools. In a statement announcing the restriction, Flint school officials stated, "We have reached a point where we must make difficult decisions" to ensure school safety.
Gun Violence Prevention
These moves by the two Michigan school districts come at a time when campuses around the US are grappling with how to prevent and prepare for mass shootings on the school's premises, including performing mass shooter simulations and adding metal detectors.
At least 16 people were injured in shootings at elementary, middle, and high schools in the US between January 1 and March 27, as reported by CNN.
When a gunman opened fire at Nashville's Covenant School, six individuals, including three children, lost their lives. In January, a teacher was shot by a 6-year-old pupil who had taken a firearm to school in his backpack, according to authorities in Newport News, Virginia.
It has been reported that there has been an uptick in "threatening behavior and contraband, including weapons, being brought into schools at all levels," according to the notice made by Flint school officials.
The Flint notification said that by outlawing backpacks entirely, along with a heightened security presence district-wide, they would be able to better monitor what students carried into the facilities.
According to the announcement, the prohibition has been authorized by the Flint Board of Education and district management and has the approval of the Flint Police Department.
The press release acknowledged that the choice was tough but said it would have an immediate positive impact on the district and the safety of the individuals it serves.
