While there are many protocols for students to respond to active shooters, the basic response is to move into locked rooms and fight back if necessary. Two such protocols are ALERRT and ALICE.

ALERRT stands for Advanced Law Enforcement Responce Training. ALERRT was started at Texas State University as a training program for law enforcement officers to respond to active shooters. It is now a national standard recognized by the FBI [13]. ALERRT offers a Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course which trains officers to train civilians to respond to active shooters. The protocol is Avoid Deny Defend, an updated form of “Run Hide Fight.” Avoid is the first step, which means get away from the shooter. The next step is to Deny the shooter from entering the area, which includes locking and barricading doors. The last resort is to Defend against the attacker by any means necessary [14].

ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) is an organization that trains active shooter response. ALICE offers courses to Law Enforcement, K-12 schools, healthcare providers, higher education, businesses, government, and houses of worship [15]. The ALICE protocol differs from the traditional lockdown only procedure. Alert means to become aware of the threat as soon as possible. Lockdown means to barricade the room if Evacuation isn’t an option. At this stage, prepare to Evacuate or Counter if needed. Inform means to communicate information in real time. Information should be communicated to authorities and others in the building so they can determine appropriate action. Counter is the last resort and doesn’t necessarily mean fighting. The main idea is to disorient, distract, and distance the shooter to reduce his ability to shoot accurately. Evacuate means to move away from danger when it’s safe to do so [16].

When fighting back against school shooters, it’s necessary to use some form of weapons, improvised or not. Schools currently suggest using whatever is available to fight back, including throwing desks and dictionaries. Some think that this approach isn’t enough. One proposition is to allow faculty to concealed carry at school. Many schools have already taken this approach, including Kingsburg Joint Union High School District in Kingsburg, Ca. [17]. This approach faces broad opposition from law enforcement and teachers on the grounds that responding to active shooters requires extensive training which teachers aren’t prepared for and districts are reluctant to fund. Other districts have taken a different approach. David Helsel, superintendent of the Blue Mountain School District in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, states that “Every classroom has been equipped with a five-gallon bucket of river stone,” which would be used to pelt the shooter if the classroom is breached [18]. The Millcreek Township School District in Erie County, Pa. has given teachers miniature baseball bats [19].