A New Jersey district's decision to put armed officers in every school doesn't mean that's the best way to promote safety.
The Marlboro school system took the extraordinary action last week after the holiday recess in response to the school rampage in Newtown, Conn., that left 20 first graders and six adults dead.
The Monmouth County district became the first in New Jersey to put an armed guard in every public school. Whether others follow suit seems doubtful. Gov. Christie opposes that approach, as does the New Jersey Education Association, the state's powerful teachers' union.
Some New Jersey schools, mostly high schools, do have armed officers. In Philadelphia, too, armed officers are assigned to some high schools. But, for the most part, they were placed in schools to reduce violence by students against their peers and teachers - not to deter random attacks by outsiders. Even so, armed guards can't guarantee safety, as seen in Philadelphia.
