Although the 2012 school shootings of elementary students and teachers in Newtown Middle School destroyed lives, it also helped improve school security around the town. A piece of evidence that shows this new and improved school security is the arrest of a science teacher who carried a gun at Newtown Middle School.
The middle school science teacher, 46-year-old Jason M. Adams, was first detained by school security personnel when someone in the school noticed that Adams was carrying a gun. He was then arrested and charged with illegal possession of a weapon on school grounds by the Newtown Police Department, The Washington Post reports. He has been released, but is required to attend a court hearing on April 20.
Teacher With GUN Arrested at Conn. Middle School: Police. @nbcwashington https://t.co/fjljRozSV1 pic.twitter.com/i1fq2PC1ur
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) April 7, 2016
"Both the Newtown Public School system and the Newtown Police Department took immediate steps to address the matter," the school system stated via The Washington Post. "Both agencies have been working closely together to investigate the incident and are taking precautions to ensure the continued safety of our students, staff and community members."
The science teacher has not responded to the media about his arrest. Adams has a valid state gun permit, but he is not allowed to bring it to school. Newtown Middle School has placed the science teacher on administrative leave and under investigation.
After the 2012 school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., school security personnel with firearms have been assigned to every school building. Many of these security officers assigned in schools are former policemen. "This close working relationship between the school system and law enforcement personnel is essential in resolving incidents of this nature," police reportedly said.
More security upgrades are being planned and implemented in order to prevent more school shootings. Officials have recommended that schools should have classrooms that can be locked from the inside; improve the mental health care system; stricter rules on carrying guns; and proper training for school personnel on how to respond to such emergencies, The New York Times reports.
