The Legal Context of School Violence: The Effectiveness of Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence in Schools

47 Pages Posted: 9 Jan 2014 Last revised: 30 May 2014

See all articles by Richard E. Redding

Richard E. Redding

Chapman University

Sarah M Shalf

University of Virginia School of Law

Date Written: July 1, 2001

Abstract

In the wake of recent school shootings, communities and legislatures are searching for law enforcement solutions to the perceived epidemic of school violence. A variety of legal measures have been debated and proposed. These include: the enactment of tougher gun control laws and more vigorous federal and local enforcement of existing gun control laws; the enactment of laws imposing civil or criminal liability on parents for their children’s violent behavior; the establishment of specialized courts and prosecution strategies for handling juveniles who are charged with weapons offenses; stricter enforcement of school disciplinary codes; reform of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to make it easier to expel students for weapons violations; and greater use of alternative schools as placements for students who are charged with weapons violations.

This article provides a legal and empirical analysis of proposed legislation in these areas as informed by social science research on the patterns of school violence, gun acquisition by juveniles, and the effectiveness of various laws and law enforcement measures. It proposes and discusses recommendations for legal reform. While efforts to reduce school violence will be most effective at the state and local levels, the United States federal government has an important role to play, particularly in federal-state partnerships aimed at disrupting illegal gun markets, and through the formulation of national standards and guidelines for the enforcement of existing laws; inter-agency law enforcement cooperation and information-sharing (particularly using computer-based analysis); effective school discipline and alternative educational settings for disruptive youth; and psycho-educational interventions designed to detect and prevent school violence in the first place.

Keywords: School violence, gun violence, weapons, law enforcement measures, liability, IDEA, school discipline, safe schools, prevention, intervention

Suggested Citation

Redding, Richard E. and Shalf, Sarah M, The Legal Context of School Violence: The Effectiveness of Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence in Schools (July 1, 2001). Redding, Richard E., and Shalf, Sarah M. (2001) "The Legal Context of School Violence: The Effectiveness of Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence in Schools," Law & Policy 23:297-343., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2376490

Richard E. Redding (Contact Author)

Chapman University ( email )

One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866-1099
United States
714-628-2688 (Phone)
714-628-2564 (Fax)

Sarah M Shalf

University of Virginia School of Law ( email )

580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States
434-924-3825 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.law.virginia.edu/faculty/profile/sms6f/1436630

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