Lamar parents join thousands across U.S. petitioning for metal detectors in schools

LAMAR, Ark. – Two Arkansas parents are joining in on a nationwide push for more metal detectors in schools following a string of school threats and a school shooting in Georgia last month.

Since the Sept. 4 Apalachee High School shooting in Winder, Georgia, Change.org reported more than 180 petitions calling for metal detectors in U.S. schools with 40,000 signatures.

Destiny Apple started one of two petitions for Lamar Public Schools in response to perceived threats at her child’s district and others.

“At some point, a kid is going to get ahold of something, and a metal detector may help prevent them from getting it into a school,” Destiny said.

In 10 days, 305 people signed Apple’s petition. KARK 4 News asked for a statement from the Lamar School District about the metal detector petitions.

“We are always evaluating our safety and increasing security measures and will continue to do so to keep student and staff safety a top priority,” Assistant Superintendent Lisa Collins said in part.

According to a National Center for Education Statistics study published in July 2024, only 6% of public U.S. high schools conduct daily metal detector checks. In middle schools, 4% do so. Less than 1% do so in elementary schools.

Destiny’s husband John Apple said the reality is frightening.

“Our job is to protect our kids, and if we can’t depend on them to do it, then who else is going to? And I don’t want to live with that,” he said.

The Apples think most schools do not have them because of the price. One parent off-camera criticized the reliability and inconvenience of metal detectors.

“What’s a few extra minutes when you might just save a life? There’s no price you can put on that,” John argued.

Both parents said they hope other parents, even those in different districts, ask for the safety addition. The Lamar School Board meets on Oct. 14.

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