CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 learned that more guns are being found in Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District than any other district in the state.
Despite the rules clearly stating no firearms in schools, 19 guns made their way into CMS schools last school year, according to a new crime report draft from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
[READ: NC Department of Public Instruction Crime Report]
According to the report, that’s a 10-year high for CMS.
It's really scary to have, to even think about, you know, sending my child to school,” parent Brittany Davis said. “Is she going to be OK? Is her teacher going to protect her?”
Parents are concerned about their child’s safety with school shootings and threats becoming all too common.
“It's scary because it could've been my child,” Davis said.
Wake County Schools reported 13 guns, and New Hanover County Schools had 12 reports of firearms in schools.
CMS Superintendent Clayton Wilcox said it is important to note the guns were not used in those 19 cases.
"Kids, for the most part, said somebody's got a gun, and so there were no shootings on all these campuses, and I think that's the statistic in this story that our detection methods are getting better,” Wilcox said.
Wilcox said the district is actively discussing what needs to be done to keep students safe in this current climate.
"You can't just think, well I'm gonna lock the doors and be done,” Wilcox said. “How do you identify those kids that are potential challenges? What do you do in the aftermath of a shooting?"
Wilcox said he believes arming teachers is bad policy and not even worthy of consideration.
A district representative told Channel 9 that putting in metal detectors is an option the district is considering, among many.
Wilcox said school leaders are scrutinizing social media more than ever, and the district has a better relationship with local police than ever before.
On Monday, Charlotte Mecklenburg police Chief Kerr Putney and Wilcox will discuss school safety via Facebook.
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