Lets start with some realities. Less firearms will not necessarily equal less violence in the schools. Remember, the worst massacre at a U.S. school didn't involve a firearm to inflict casualties (Bath School massacre, 1927, 44 dead). There will always be a means for those inclined and motivated to commit violence. Labeling the schools as gun free does not work, if anything, it just advertises them as being soft targets. Armed security is expensive and school budgets are already strained. In nearly every shooting the gunman is killed either by a responding individual or by themselves when faced with an armed response. Considering those realities, the solution is clear. Allowing volunteers from the school staff to be armed. Teachers and staff already care about the children. A concealed firearm is less disruptive to students than an obvious one on a security guard. Additional training, beyond what is required for a concealed carry permit, could be mandated free of charge. What that does is make schools a less attractive target for violence. A shooter will know that there will be an immediate armed response, will not know where that armed response will come from which makes it harder to neutralize immediately, and the attack will be ended sooner which will save lives. Keeping in mind that school shootings are a statistical aberration given how many schools operate in this country every day without a shooting incident, this is the lowest cost and most effective solution. The deeper issues surrounding violence and politics surrounding that are a separate larger problem that should not be wrapped up in finding an immediate solution that can quickly be put into place.