We’ve all heard of the tragedy at Joppatowne high school. We’ve all heard the changes that are being implemented in the wake of this tragedy. The biggest change being the ban on bags in the school. The concept behind this new rule is that someone can hide a weapon in their bags. By eliminating bags around the school, we’re eliminating the risk of a weapon being hidden. However, this policy isn’t actually new. This policy has been around for years; unfortunately, it’s only after the tragedy at Joppatowne that the policy is now being enforced.
This policy was meant to prevent tragedies, but it wasn’t enforced because there hadn’t been any incidents. Now, there has been an incident. Now, people are reacting and enforcing the policy. This policy is a prime example of reactive vs. preventive actions – but I still don’t think that the policy is what this school system needs.
While someone could hide a weapon in a bag, there is a chance that they’re hiding the weapon on them. A bag policy is not going to stop a determined perpetrator. Maryland is a wear and carry state. That means that hundreds of people could be hiding firearms on themselves, and you wouldn’t know.
The bags aren’t the problem. They never were. Not when a wear and carry gun can be the size of a phone. It can fit in a pocket almost undetected, it doesn’t need a large bag to hide in.
The HCPS bag policy, found in the HCPS handbook, states that, “Students are permitted to use backpacks or similar items to carry their schoolbooks, materials or equipment while traveling to and from school. However, because of the importance of maintaining a safe environment in the school, such items must be stored in lockers or designated areas during the school day.” That policy didn’t keep the students safe at Joppatowne. Only after an incident occurred is it now being enforced. This policy still allows the potential of a weapon being brought into the school. What the school system needs is a way to stop the problem at the door. One way to do this would be to put metal detectors at the doors; this would prevent anything from getting past the front line.
The bag policy is hindering students’ education. Some kids need bags to carry medical supplies. Others use it to aid them with a physical disability. By enforcing the bag policy, students who are allowed to carry medical supplies are now being singled out. Students who didn’t want to broadcast their health problems are being forced to, all because they lost the anonymity that everyone carrying bags offered. Students who have joint problems use bags to relieve the strain on their bodies, and now they have to potentially injure themselves trying to carry all their belongings.
By getting rid of bags, students now have to struggle to carry everything. If they can’t carry everything, they now have to run to their locker to grab different books. While we do have six and a half minutes to get from one class to another, this doesn’t allow time for any distractions. I know I get stressed out that I’m not going to make it in time if I don’t leave a class exactly when the bell rings, and go straight to my next class. This anxiety is heightened by locker stops because none of my classes land me near my locker. I know I’m not the only student who feels this pressure because we can’t use our bags.
But what about the kids that weren’t keeping weapons in their bag at all? Did it really help anybody?
This policy is now being enforced in the wake of a tragedy. People are panicking about student safety, and I appreciate that action is being taken, but getting rid of bags isn’t going to eliminate the risk. It only slightly dampens the risk of a shooting. Without bags, I should feel safer – so why don’t I?
All you’re doing by banning bags is making it harder for all students to carry all their supplies, and not because you’re deterring a student who could be hiding a weapon. The bag policy dampens potential, but never eliminates it completely.
If you’re getting rid of bags because of the risk they’re carrying, what’s next? Everything has the potential to conceal a weapon. Next thing you know, you won’t be able to wear sweatshirts or baggy clothing? No lockers? Instead of eliminating bags, maybe the system should invest in some metal detectors that detect the problem at the door, preventing the weapons from even making it into the building. Let’s work together to stop the problem at the door instead of after the gunshots go off.