Annual Discovery of Firearms in Schools: Measures Taken by the District
In recent times, Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) have seen an increase in the discovery of firearms on their campuses. One notable incident involved a student bringing a gun from home to Atrisco Heritage Academy High School, which was later found in the center console of a car, leading to three arrests[1][3].
The reasons behind this trend are not fully understood, but they may be linked to concerns about safety, easy access to firearms, and social or community factors influencing behaviour[1].
To address this issue, APS and the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) are taking several measures:
- Strict Legal Enforcement: The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, led by DA Sam Bregman, is taking a firm stance by prosecuting juvenile offenders who bring guns to campus and opposing their release before trial. This includes detaining youths to prevent repeated offenses[1][3].
- School Security Measures: Schools are working with law enforcement to monitor and investigate incidents involving firearms, including searching vehicles on campus when necessary[1].
- Community and Law Enforcement Collaboration: Alerts from parents and community members about suspected firearms are actively encouraged to prevent incidents[1].
While specific preventative programs at APS beyond legal enforcement are not detailed, the focus is on deterrence through prosecution and maintaining safe school environments[1]. The Gun-Free School Zones Act also underlines the illegality of firearms on school grounds, reinforcing these measures[1].
In addition, APS has implemented several strategies to keep guns off its campuses during the 2024-2025 school year. These include panic buttons, increased scrutiny of visitors, capital improvements in school buildings and fencing[2].
APD has revived a partnership with APS called Campus Crime Stoppers, providing students with a QR code to report campus activity[4]. The district has also established specialized support teams, provided additional teacher training, installed 5,000 surveillance cameras, and re-launched Crime Stoppers on campus to receive anonymous tips[5].
Under federal law, a minimum one-year ban from school is mandatory for students caught with firearms on school premises[6]. A conviction for unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on school premises could result in probation or commitment to a juvenile facility[7].
Rajan suggests that students often bring guns to campus due to a perceived lack of safety[8]. In fact, more than two dozen juveniles were charged with murder in Bernalillo County from January 2023 to November 2024, most involving firearms[9].
Shantail Miller, the district's student threat assessment and integrated support director, explained that students often feel the need for protection on their way to and from school grounds due to fear of consequences between home and school[10].
A strategy of early intervention and addressing the root causes of gun violence could be effective in reducing the number of firearms on APS campuses[7]. Under a policy adopted in January 2024, all youths charged with gun crimes are asked to reveal the source of the weapon they were carrying, with "friend" being the top response and Telegram being the second most commonly listed source[11].
As the new school year begins with over 64,000 students[12], APS, APD, and the community are working together to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all. Marez emphasized that APD officers are the safe place for students and urged students to report any suspicious activity[3].
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- The increase in firearms discovered in Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) might be related to concerns about safety, easy access to firearms, and social factors, as well as a perceived lack of safety, according to Rajan and Shantail Miller.
- To combat this issue, APS and the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) are enforcing strict legal action, collaborating with the community, enhancing school security measures, and employing strategies like panic buttons, increased visitor scrutiny, capital improvements, surveillance cameras, and anonymous tip lines.
- Additionally, the Gun-Free School Zones Act and federal law mandate a minimum one-year ban from school for students caught with firearms, and convictions could lead to probation or commitment to a juvenile facility.
- APS has also implemented specialized support teams, provided additional teacher training, and re-launched Crime Stoppers on campus to discourage gun violence on school premises.
- The focus seems to be on deterrence through prosecution and maintaining safe school environments, but early intervention and addressing the root causes of gun violence could potentially reduce the number of firearms on APS campuses.
- As the new school year begins with over 64,000 students, APS, APD, and the community continue their efforts to provide a safe and secure learning environment for all, with APD emphasizing that officers serve as a safe place for students to report any suspicious activity.
