Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Protecting kids with advanced non-lethal weapons – because not... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

Protecting kids with advanced non-lethal weapons – because not... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com:

Protecting kids with advanced non-lethal weapons – because not every school has Antoinette Tuff. 

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BEN GRAY / AJC
REUNITED AFTER SCHOOL SHOOTING INCIDENT--August 20, 2013, DeKalb County: LaTrease Akins rushes off hugging her 5-year-old son Mark Wheeler on Tuesday afternoon August 20, 2013 after being reunited following the shooting incident at McNair Discovery Learning Academy. Akins was next headed to get her first-grader, who was on a different bus from the school. BEN GRAY / BGRAY@AJC.COM
Anthony Lemieux is associate professor of communication and a lead researcher in transcultural conflict and violence at Georgia State University, where he researches and teaches about terrorist motivations and other matters of security and public health.
In the wake of the McNair school drama, he wrote a fascinating piece about ways to prevent such incidents.
By Anthony Lemieux
That the heroic actions of Antoinette Tuff resulted in the saving of many lives is undeniable.
When Michael Hill walked into the Ronald E. McNair Discovery Academy in DeKalb County three weeks ago, he was armed with an AK-47 and an estimated 500 rounds of ammunition. Tuff talked him out of going on a shooting spree. Of course, this fortunate outcome should be celebrated.
However, it is not acceptable for school security and the fate of our kids to hinge on luck. Not every school has someone like Antoinette Tuff, with the courage, wisdom, skill, humility and