page 8
Exploring the Gun Violence
Due to recent events, it is important
that students are aware of the univer-
sity’s lockdown policy. Although Baker
has a relatively low crime rate over-
all, particularly for crimes that would
require a lockdown, students should be
aware of what to do if a situation arises
that causes the policy to be put into
action.
 The lockdown policy has been in
effect for several years and is utilized
for any major event that would require
students to stay in a designated safe
area until the situation is under con-
trol. Campus Security Officer Jake Born
said that these events could be environ-
mental hazards, bad weather, a problem
with another student, angry protests or
an intruder being present on campus.
 “The B-Alert System, which all stu-
dents’ phones are registered to receive
messages from, is the primary way we
communicate with students about any-
thing big [happening] on campus that
requires them to remain in a safe area
or seek shelter,” Born said.
 Born said that all the security offi-
cers are trained in the lockdown policy
procedure and conduct regular training
to ensure that their skills and knowl-
edge stay up to date. However, students
do not take part in these drills.
 “Lockdowns do not happen often.
We haven’t had one since I’ve been
here,” Born said.
 Although lockdowns may not
The Baker Orange | March 2, 2018 page 9
EPIDEMIC IN AMERICA story by Sarah Day &
design by Spencer Brown
According to Everytown, a gun
safety fund, 2018 has had 17 school
shootings. This is in combination
with the 290 school shootings that
have been reported since 20131.
Pew Research Center reports that only 30 percent
happen often, that does not
mean that students should ANNUAL LOBBYING of respondents in a 2017 survey said they owned
a gun. One percent of respondents did not
EXPENDITURE BY THE
not be prepared if one were to
$ in Millions
take place. Furthermore, it does answer the survey. These percentages only
not mean that students should
account for those who answered to owning
be afraid to report something
that seems out of place or strange
to them.
4 NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION a firearm. It does not reveal the percentage
of Americans who live with someone who
 If students hear about some- owns a gun2.
thing bad that may happen, Born
said that they should notify securi-
ty immediately. If a student cannot
get ahold of security for any reason,
they should let someone, such as an
3
RA or faculty member, know.
 “Once we get a report, security
will kick into effect the protocol that
we need to alongside the BCPD (Bald-
2
win City Police Department) in order
to keep students safe,” Born said.
 Baker tries to limit these types of
events through the strict policy against
weapons on campus.
 “Any knife larger than 6 inches,
which is state protocol, will be confis-
cated. When I say ‘confiscate it,’ I mean
that the kid can come back and get it
1
and take it off campus. As for guns,
there is no tolerance,” Born said.
 Should a student find themselves
face-to-face with a person with a
weapon and an intent to harm, they are
0
59 percent
encouraged to take every precaution in
YEAR
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
order to protect themselves.
 “Lock the building, lock the room,
barricade it and try to stay safe,” Born
said. “Call BCPD as soon as possible
and protect yourself.” of university shooters in a 2016 study were identified
 If a student is not able to seek Earlier this month, the BBC reported this chart, describing the annual as being unassociated with the institution.
shelter, Born advised that they either amount of money that the National Rifle Association (NRA) spends on
get on the ground or run away in a its lobbying efforts for gun protection4. Following the Feb. 14 shooting in The study by Citizen’s Crime Commission of
serpentine pattern so that the assailant
Parkland, Florida, students began to speak out about gun control in town New York City analyzed 190 incidents on college
will have a more difficult time hitting
halls. Through CNN reports, senior Ryan Deitsch, a survivor of the Marjory campuses between the 2001-2002 and 2015-
them.
 “The one thing to not do is to try Stoneman Douglas High School shooting commented, “why do we have to 2016 school years around the United States. In
to be a hero in a dangerous situation
speak out to the Capitol, why do we have to march on Washington, just to addition to the 59 percent stated above, “28
– there’s no need to be a hero,” Born
save innocent lives?” Some believe that with youth involvement, percent of the shooters were students, nine
said.
this shooting could have the largest impact of any shooting percent were former students and four percent
thus far on any American legislation5. were employees”3.
Sources: 1 http://time.com/5168272/how-many-school-shootings/, 2 www.pewsocialtrends.org/2017/06/22/the-demographics-of-gun-ownership/, 3 www.campussafetymagazine.com/news/study_finds_
increase_in_school_shootings_at_colleges_in_u-s/, 4 www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41488081, 5 www.cnn.com/2018/02/22/politics/gallery/cnn-stand-up-town-hall-quotes/index.html