This is one of those issues where the left’s total rejection of those on the other side serves to ensure that solutions are never arrived upon.
The problem with the conversation is a lack of respect for other people’s values. There is no question that on every campus you will find 1 or 2 or more people of unquestionable reputation, reliability and dedication who would agree to discretely carry concealed on campus and pledge that, God forbid, in the unlikely event of a threat they would step up to defend the kids. But a vocal grouping of people will simply never accept this, and some heap scorn on those with a different view rather than respect their fidelity to a peaceful, but different, way of living from their own.
Ironically, there is probably more “trust” placed on the police by the left than on the right so to speak. Those who wish to outlaw or severely restrict access to guns are not likely to also agree to disarm the police forces. But on the right, many people acknowledge that when seconds count the police are only minutes away.
The kids as well as the teachers and staff are basically, by law, mandatory sitting ducks. It is not feasible to expect that school campuses will be made as secure as a penitentiary - and even in prisons we know all kinds of malfeasance occurs. Build a giant wall, someone will sneak contraband in via drone if they are so determined. It is likewise unrealistic - and imo would add negatively to the already misguided nature of public schooling - to hire a police force for every campus. There are no perfect solutions but making people, by law, impotent to protect themselves is part of the problem we already have.
Here in conservative God’s country, we have locked high school doors with sheriff’s deputy at the entrance. That is, entry and exit during class room hours is restricted. I’m not sure about what measures are taken at elementary and middle schools.
I think the policy has worked well since implemented I believe post columbine.
At least one armed intruder was taken down and arrested.