Preventing school violence has been a problem in our society for so long that it has almost become commonplace. According to an article on www.infoplease.com, since 2000, there have been 64 shooting-related incidents involving occupied public areas. This is an almost five-per-year event. Of those 64, 94% of these incidents were school-related shootings. The violence ranges from elementary schools to universities. The statistics are not pretty at all. So what should we do? Should we institute better security? For all these tragedies, it is time to finally take reasonable measures to implement new prevention methods and address school violence as a problem of serious importance. Of all the incidents that have happened in the last ten years, one that stands out in my opinion is simply the defense used during the trial. Michael Carneal, the killer involved in West Paducah, had a startling revelation through his defense attorney. During the exams his defense psychologist, Dewey Cornwell, said he was "sick of school, of his parents not paying attention, and of no one caring about him." (Gerler, 2004) In the Newton, Connecticut shooting, the assailant had a similar defense at his side. The characteristics displayed by many of the shooters caused many school districts to change their minds. Educators and lawmakers have begun profiling potentially violent students. The NSSC, known as the National School Safety Center, has checklists that should help teachers and others involved in educating students. The checklist is intended to help identify characteristics of students who are more willing to commit acts of violence. The checklist is... middle of the paper... to make schools a safer place for our children, but until we actually put something positive in place that works, the violence will only continue. Works CitedBooth, B. (2011, May). Retrieved from Blaze: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/03/07/gun-control-initiatives-to-be-debated-by-senate-committee-today-here-are-the-pros- and cons of each proposal/Bourjaily, P. (2005). How to teach your child about gun safety. Field And Stream.Cline, S. (2012, December 18). Retrieved from usnews: http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/12/18/the-gun-control-debate-in-plain-englishGerler, E.R. (2004). Manual on school violence. San Diego: Routlege.Klonsky, M. (202). How smaller schools prevent school violence, 65-69. Retrieved from Keep and Bear Arms: http://www.keepandbeararms.comStatistics, C. (n.d.). Excerpt from information please: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777958.html