A fortress of innocence: can schools be protected from gun violence?
School hallways once resounded with laughter and chatter, punctuated by the occasional squeak of sneakers. Today, a new sound joins the chorus: the soft click of a latch on a bulletproof backpack. In the wake of countless tragedies, a disturbing trend has emerged: the fortification of classrooms with ballistic armor. This isn’t a scene from a dystopian novel; it’s the grim reality facing American schools. Companies are marketing protective gear designed for war zones to parents and educators, a response to the ever-present threat of gun violence. But are these products a solution or a symptom of a deeper social…
