OPPOSITION TO ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS

WHEREAS, we live in a country where children and their families, educators, administrators, law enforcement, medical professionals and other Americans live in fear of the next school shooting; and

WHEREAS, this fear has caused districts to implement a variety of safety measures, one of which is the active shooter drill; and

WHEREAS, these active shooter drills employ simulations that may include, but are not limited to, enactments of any kind, the firing of blank ammunition, use of fake blood, and simulated death—actions unconscionable to place on the shoulders of our children and school employees; and

WHEREAS, whether announced or unannounced, these simulated shootings can be traumatizing, and anecdotal data shows they can have long-lasting effects on those who endure them; and

WHEREAS, there is no evidence to support the idea that active shooter drills will save lives; and

WHEREAS, none of these simulations are necessary to training students in safety and evacuation; and

WHEREAS, school should be a safe haven that nurtures its students and staff; these drills display the opposite:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will oppose the practice of any form of active shooter drill that utilizes the firing of blank ammunition, use of fake blood, the simulation of death or any other potentially traumatizing actions.