One of the most persistent problems that haunt the USA is the spectre of shootings, especially inside schools. In an attempt to offer protection to students and staff during an active shooting, a security solutions company invented a whiteboard that can change into a bulletproof fold-out mini room in a matter of seconds.
This anti-ballistic whiteboard turned safe room, known as Rapid-Deploy Safe Room System, has already been installed in two classrooms in Cullman, a city in Alabama, USA. It was invented by KT Security Solutions following the deadly school shooting in Uvalde Texas last year, which resulted in the deaths of 19 students and two teachers.
A video of the Rapid-Deploy Safe Room System’s classroom installation and demonstration is going viral on Twitter.
An elementary school in Cullman, AL shows off its new fold-out whiteboard / ballistic shield system pic.twitter.com/iQq06eCZQw
— Marjorie Gaylor Queen 🏳️🌈 (@Tim_Tweeted) March 14, 2023
Many netizens have noted that this innovation, though well intended, may not work as expected because of the unexpected nature of school shootings, especially when the perpetrator is a student. They also noted that opening the whiteboard might be difficult in cramped classrooms and will not be equally usable by those with mobility issues.
People also argued that instead of investing in expensive anti-ballistic infrastructure, the authorities should impose stricter gun control.
Echoing these views, a Twitter user wrote, “Teachers in hard bottom shoes, teachers who are in wheelchairs, teachers with arm, shoulder or back injuries…Good grief… 🤷🏾♀️”. Another person wrote, “This is maddening! School districts that have to write grants in order to afford supplies are supposed to somehow pay for this? While we could simply have major gun reform for free?”.
