Sources Available on Mass Shootings, School Violence, Gun Control

As you cover the Newtown, Connecticut school shooting, you may find the following sources useful. Carolyn Mears is a professor of education at the University of Denver. She has written extensively about school shootings – her son was in Columbine shooting. She has written a book entitled "Reclaiming School in the Aftermath of Trauma" Best way to reach her at 614-204-7438 (publicist) or [email protected]. Dr. Scott Poland is professor of psychology at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and author of four books on school shootings. He has served on national crisis teams after numerous school shootings including those in Littleton, CO, and Red Lake, MN. Dr. Poland can be reached via cell-phone at 713-201-6659, in his office at 954-262-5881 (office) or by e-mail at [email protected]. About 60 percent of the bystanders will bounce back with little or no psychological damage from the shootings, he says. Another 20 percent will suffer minor psychological problems. A final 20 percent are at risk for major problems. “What needs to happen is a psychological triage,” he says. “There are three circles of vulnerability. The first circle includes those who were in close physical proximity to the shootings. The second circle includes those who were in close social proximity to the shooting victims—people who were their close friends or family, for example. The third circle is comprised of people who have had a history of trauma or violence in their family.” Poland says the problem in the immediate aftermath of large-scale shootings is that people focus on why the massacre occurred instead of what the survivors need. “We never seem to get much of an explanation as to why—and there is always a lot of second-guessing about what could have been done differently. But the most frustrating thing about that is that we need to focus on the mental health and psychological needs of the people who have been through the experience.” Brian Kensel is an assistant professor of criminal justice at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, FL. His area of expertise is security at schools. Kensel says "this is something that could happen anywhere." He is available by phone if you are interested in talking with him. Dr. Marie C. Gray is a nationally certified psychologist, specializing in child and adolescent developmental psychology and traumatic stress. Harry Wilson, professor of public affairs, Roanoke College, Salem, VA, teaches on gun control and is author of the book, Guns, Gun Control and Elections: The Politics and Policy of Firearms. Larry Banaszak, chief of police at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. Larry has done countless hours of research on the mindset of shooters who enter schools looking to harm or kill others. You can see his powerpoint presentation by clicking on the Active Shooter Training link here: In the past five years, the Otterbein Police Department has hosted numerous active shooter training sessions for university students, staff and faculty, as well as going to other school districts, businesses and governmental agencies. Please let me know if there’s anything further that I can provide. My cell phone number is 614-204-7438.