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A bullet-resistant clipboard? Security expert talks security & student safety with WUSA 9

The Executive Director for the National Association of School Resource Officers sits down in a one-on-one interview to discuss arming teachers, protective gear, and how he believes schools can best increase security.
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School bus sign

Companies across the country are making bullet-resistant items like a bullet-resistant clipboard WUSA 9 got its hands on. Bullet-resistant inserts, small or large enough to fit in a backpack, are also on the market.

"My guess is it would probably, maybe stop a 9 mm or .45 caliber, .38, something along those lines. I don't know that this stops a rifle round," said Mo Canady after a quick inspection.

Canady says he understands parents wanting to look into protective gear. He spent 20+ years in Law Enforcement as a Police Officer. Now, he's the Executive Director of the National Association of School Resource Officers.

RELATED: 18 shooting incidents have occurred on school grounds in the US in 2018

After the deadly Florida high school shooting, Canady says his focus is on three potential ways schools can strengthen their security. In that area, he believes arming teachers is not one.

"To ask a teacher to train to that level. Forget, whether they're proficient with a firearm, but the mentality of being prepared to engage someone and take a life if necessary, that's a whole differently level," he said.

School Resource Officers, Canady said sternly, are prepared to do so. He believes each school should have one - more than one of possible. Second is a fortified school perimeter.

"Students and educators alike have to be trained with the importance of not opening those doors for someone," said Canady.

The third item on Canady's list is Mental Health training for SRO's. He says the National Association of School Resource Officers recently added mental health training workshops that are open to both school resource officers and educators.

You can learn more about this by visiting: www.nasro.org.

After the one-on-one interview with Canady, WUSA 9 learned it was a School Resource Officer who discovered a 9mm handgun inside the book bag of a Clarksburg High School student.

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