The Overlooked Reality: Weapons in Elementary and Middle Schools
When most people think of school shootings, they picture high schools. And while high schools do account for a significant number of incidents, the data tells a much broader and more urgent story that include elementary and middle schools. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, which tracks the 300 most recent incidents, 166 occurred […]
Why Campus Gun Policies and Regulations Are Shaping College Enrollment Decisions and How OPENGATE Helps
Campus safety is a growing priority for students, and gun policies and regulations are playing a bigger role than ever in college enrollment decisions. According to the 2024 Lumina Foundation-Gallup State of Higher Education Study: 81% of current and prospective students say a college’s firearm policy influences their decision to enroll 80% say gun laws […]
Graduations Have Wrapped Up, How Did Your College Do?
As caps flew and cameras flashed across campuses nationwide, one important question remains for college administrators, event staff, and public safety teams: How did your venue handle safety during graduation? With thousands of family members, faculty, and students gathered in one place, commencement ceremonies are high-pressure environments for both celebration and security. Schools like the […]
OPENGATE Detects Loaded Firearm as Student Enters Smithfield High School
On Monday morning, a loaded firearm was detected as a student entered Smithfield High School in Virginia, thanks to the school’s OPENGATE® weapons detection system. As the student walked through the system, OPENGATE alerted staff to a potential threat. Upon investigation, a loaded firearm was found in the student’s backpack. The student was immediately detained […]
Safer College Football Stadiums Start at the Gate
College football stadiums are reaching new levels of capacity. In 2024, 31 FBS programs averaged 100% or more in attendance, according to D1.ticker. The biggest crowds belonged to: Michigan: 110,548 fans per game (102.74% capacity) – Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, MI) Penn State: 108,379 fans per game (101.70% capacity) – Beaver Stadium (University Park, PA) […]
Firearms in Schools: A Growing Risk for Teachers
The role of a teacher has always required patience, compassion, and resilience. Today, it also requires vigilance. Across the country, educators are facing a growing threat not just from disruptive behavior or verbal abuse but from the presence of firearms on school grounds. In Massachusetts, weapons have been discovered multiple times inside one high school. […]
How OPENGATE Helped Lee County Schools Cut Security Incidents
The School District of Lee County, Florida, has reported a 39% decrease in school-related security incidents in 2024 compared to 2023. Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin credited OPENGATE® for playing a key role in enhancing campus safety. Security and Fleet Operations Chief Dave Newlan shared the results during a recent school board workshop, noting significant drops […]
Rethinking Safety: Weapons Detection in K–12 and Higher Ed
There’s a lot of confusion about what weapons detection means in a school setting. In a recent episode of The Sound Off podcast from Safe and Sound Schools, CEIA USA’s Tom McDermott joined Michele Gay to unpack what effective school security should look like, and how weapons detection fits into a broader, more innovative strategy. […]
When Safety Matters Most: Choosing Science Over Sales
By Aaron Blevins, National Sales Manager, CEIA USA When shopping for a car seat, I remember being drawn to the ones with all the extras. Some had cup holders, cooling fans, memory foam, and even built-in speakers. Several even promised to convert it into a booster seat for when my kid got older, buy once, […]