The calls in talk radio today had people asking about metal detectors in schools. Gene Patterson of the ABC affiliate asked Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale about buying metal detectors during his live 5 p.m. broadcast. In 2002 or 2003 while I served on the Knox County School Board a set of portable metal detectors were purchased. However a particular School Board member (not me) questioned the legality of utilizing metal detectors and the portable set(s) have been moth balled in a storage area ever since.

One or two sets of portable metal detectors may not solve the situation that happened today. However, if they would move the set each day from school to school. They could be at each high school every 13 days. The bottom line is that it doesn’t totally prevent a shooting from happening. But it is a deterrent and the kids if they thought there is a possibility that a detector will be there. Would keep the weapons at home.