Weapons Detection in K-12 Schools: Key Context and Layered Strategies with Tom McDermott
- Michele Gay
- Apr 2
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 4
The Sound Off, a Safe and Sound Schools Podcast
There are a lot of misconceptions about weapons detection and its place on school campuses. Often bringing to mind TSA-style security, how does it fit into a broader security strategy in K-12 environments?
In this episode of The Sound Off, Michele Gay and Tom McDermott, industry expert and leading weapons detection educator, explore the need for and value of weapons detection strategies on school campuses.
The discussion centers around the rise of guns on campus, how schools can most effectively leverage weapons detection, and the importance of a layered approach to safety and security. Michele and Tom focus on tangible steps schools can take to implement effective weapons detection protocols and keep their campuses safe and weapon-free.
Below you’ll find a full episode guide complete with key takeaways, powerful quotes, and additional resources on weapons detection. Listen to the full episode now to discover how you can take the next step to securing a campus where students and staff feel safe to learn.
Episode Guide
[3:00] K-12 Weapons Detection: What It Is and Isn’t
Weapons detection on school campuses involves more than installing metal detectors. It requires a strategic, layered approach and the right tools to prevent a mass casualty threat. Michele and Tom dive into weapons detection on school campuses and provide key, foundational context on the topic.
“The distinction between the metal detector and a weapons detector is really about detecting mass casualty threats.”– Tom McDermott
[8:30] Getting Specific: Why Schools Need to Understand Their Goals and Resources
Schools face limited financial and staffing resources, and these factors can severely limit the effectiveness of a weapons detection protocol. Michele and Tom discuss the limitations schools need to assess and how they can overcome them by setting specific goals and scalable tools and methods.
“What we’ve learned is that we’ve got to simplify the equipment, simplify the technology, simplify the screening procedure to make it super simple, so we can minimize errors.” -Tom McDermott
[14:30] A Growing Threat: The Rise in Gun Ownership
Mass shootings are not the only threat schools face. They are also managing the result of a proliferation of guns nationwide. Michele and Tom discuss why more guns are being found on campuses and how schools can take action to stop this trend.
“25 years ago, we were manufacturing and importing about 4.7 million guns a year. Now we’re manufacturing about 19.7 million guns a year. That’s a 320% increase in gun manufacturing.” -Tom McDermott
[19:30] A Comprehensive Approach: How Schools Can Enhance Safety with a Layered Strategy
Physical security measures are not enough to stop school violence. Keeping campuses safe requires leveraging every tool in the toolkit, from behavioral threat assessment to monitoring social media threats and more. Michele and Tom explore the complex reality of keeping kids safe.
“We have to look at the function behind [violent] behavior. What is it that caused that person to feel that was necessary? What’s the root cause? And how can we add more interventions upstream?” -Michele Gay
[22:00] Keeping Guns Out of School: Common Challenges to Implementing Weapons Detection
From welcoming students each morning, to admitting the community into afterschool events, weapons detection on campus is not simple. Michele and Tom explore some practical steps schools can take to continue building on their safety initiatives.
“When school districts do random screening, it works as a very good deterrent. It’s no different than putting the squad car out front. Deterrents work.” -Tom McDermott
[26:30] Dispelling Misconceptions: The Truth of Modern Weapons Detection
Weapons detection systems do not have to take up a lot of space or be overly complicated. Michele and Tom talk about the updates that have been made to these systems and how they can be leveraged more effectively than ever.
“The other thing we’re seeing, which is really beneficial, is utilizing systems like this if there is a reported concern. In addition to using these systems in a randomized way for the deterrent effect, have it on deck in case a report comes in.” -Michele Gay
[33:30] Physical Threat Assessment: The First Step of Effective Safety Planning
Without the basics like fencing, door locks, and security cameras in place, metal detectors are not going to keep a campus safe. Michele and Tom discuss the importance of starting with a thorough assessment of security measures in place and using that as the foundation for all security planning.
“If you don’t have [the basics] in place, metal detectors are not the way to go. You have to prioritize the physical security basics, and that’s why threat assessment absolutely matters.”-Tom McDermott
[38:00] Common Roadblocks: What Keeps Communities from Implementing Effective Weapons Detection
Launching a truly effective weapons detection protocol is not simple. Schools must take the time to research tools, partners, and their own needs. Michele and Tom highlight some of the pitfalls schools run into and how they can be avoided.
“Do it right, or don’t do it at all—otherwise you’re just posturing, it’s just theater. Make sure you’re looking at reputable companies that have a long history of doing this.” -Tom McDermott
Listen to the Full Episode
School leaders across the nation are looking for ways to keep their school communities safe. Weapons detection, while historically controversial, is becoming a more accepted—and even celebrated—part of this conversation. This episode of The Sound Off dives into meaningful solutions that go beyond outdated misconceptions about the role and nature of weapons detection, offering a deep and thoughtful exploration of how leveraging these systems can transform security processes and cultivate safer learning environments. The insights in this conversation are a must hear for everyone committed to building safer, stronger school communities.
Thank you to this episode’s proud sponsor Status Solutions and the Status Solutions Network. Status Solutions provides situational awareness technology to enhance school safety and communication, while Status Solutions Network funds safety initiatives in schools through its digital advertising platform. Together, they’re dedicated to creating safer learning environments for students, staff and families.
Check out These Additional Resources
Dive into these resources for more information and strategies to implement effective weapons detection on your campus.
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