Gun Debate Complex for Schools Near Columbine

In the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre, one Colorado county which includes the now-infamous Columbine High School is beefing up security, with CCTV cameras on campus relayed by a central command. But gun rights advocates say that's not enough, and that the key to school safety is arming the teachers themselves.

Published

3 months ago

Categories

US

Topics

US Politics, United States, Education, Gun Control

Places

United States of America, Colorado, Denver

Transcript

SCRIPT: Students at Lakewood High School gather for lunch. But - even though they may not realize it - they're being watched. Nearly 50 cameras are dotted around this school in the Denver suburbs… and connected to a command center which monitors schools throughout Jefferson County - including Columbine, the scene of the infamous 1999 massacre in which twelves students and a teacher died. It's also a situation room where police and school authorities liaise during emergencies. SOUNDBITE 1 John McDonald (man) Executive Director, Safety, Security and Emergency Management, Jefferson County Schools (English, 6 sec): "That was one of the lessons from Columbine, when law enforcement and schools couldn't communicate together. We learned that lesson well." A police officer patrols each high school in this district. The more than 2000 students at Lakewood must wear IDs and come and go through just two entrances watched by security guards. But since the killings in Newtown, a passionate debate is underway in Colorado over whether these post-Columbine measures are enough. Jefferson County has plans to lock elementary school doors at all times. And some state lawmakers want teachers to be able to carry guns in class. SOUNDBITE 2 Senator Scott Renfroe [R] (man) Colorado Senate District 13 (English,14 sec): "Gun free zones don't work. // What we're doing is we're advertising to very evil people that they have an opportunity to go in and commit tragic acts without anybody confronting them for a certain amount of time." Gun control advocates have argued against bringing firearms into schools. In Colorado, police warn it could cause deadly confusion during a shooting. SOUNDBITE 3 - Sergeant Wayne Holverson (man) School Resource Unit, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department (English, 8 sec) "I don't want // one of our deputies on the street to be relieved of duty because he ended up shooting a teacher that was running down the hall with a gun at him." Outside Colorado's Capitol, rallies on the gun control issue are a regular occurrence since Newtown. The issue over how to secure schools is inflaming sentiments in this state where more than half of residents favor protecting gun ownership rights over more gun control. SHOTLIST: LAKEWOOD, COLORADO, FEBRUARY 4, 2013 SOURCE: AFPTV - Lakewood High School common area wideshot - Midshot of students - Push on security camera - Wideshot of command center - Closeup of CCTV monitor - Pan up from woman to screens - Various closeups of staff SOUNDBITE 1 John McDonald (man) Executive Director, Safety, Security and Emergency Management, Jefferson County Schools (English, 6 sec) LAKEWOOD, COLORADO, FEBRUARY 4, 2013 SOURCE: AFPTV - Police officer in Lakewood High School - Students approaching front door - exterior - Pan up security guard inside door DENVER, COLORADO, JANUARY 28, 2013 SOURCE: AFPTV - Pan of Colorado Senate Committee room - Various closeups of Senators on panel SOUNDBITE 2 Senator Scott Renfroe [R] (man) Colorado Senate District 13 (English,14 sec): LAKEWOOD, COLORADO, FEBRUARY 4, 2013 SOURCE:AFPTV - Pan of police car outside Lakewood High School - Rack focus from police car lights to school sign SOUNDBITE 3 - Sergeant Wayne Holverson (man) School Resource Unit, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department (English, 8 sec) DENVER, COLORADO, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 SOURCE: AFPTV - Wideshot of rally at Colorado Capitol - Various closeups of audience at rally and signage