MILWAUKEE — Metal detectors in schools are a common suggestion and concern from TMJ4 parents after threats of school shootings continue to rock southeastern Wisconsin communities.

Our Megan Lee visited Pius XI Catholic High School Tuesday afternoon to chat with parents after the school invested in a new weapons detection system.

“It relieves my anxiety a lot,” said Pius Junior James Rainer.

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It’s an anxiety that James wishes didn’t exist.

“It’s very difficult to go to school almost every day and know that I might not come home,” James said.

Megan asked James what it was like to walk past a metal detector at school.

He said: “It definitely makes me feel a little safer, but the fact that it feels like we have to do it because there were so many threats in the past. It’s definitely a bit ridiculous, to say the least.”

Watch: Milwaukee high school student and his parents discuss metal detectors in schools

Milwaukee high school student and his parents discuss metal detectors in schools

Pie was able to implement a new safety plan thanks to a community donation. The private school uses OPENGATE to select students. According to the school, it controls weapons more effectively.

“It goes so fast, it’s like you walk in and it’s like in five minutes you go through the metal detectors,” James said.

His father, Allen Rainer, has mixed feelings about adding metal detectors to schools.

“As much as it sucks and it’s a horrible thing to have to think about it and feel like you have to implement something like this, in the long run (and (overall) it’s probably always for the best ” Allen explained.

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Megan asked another parent if they had peace of mind knowing that students had to go through a metal detector.

“Definitely yes, because they won’t get anything even if they try,” said Pius’ mother, Ashley Abshire.

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Ashley thinks other schools should look into safety measures.

“If you can raise money to buy a new school gymnasium, you can raise money to buy metal detectors to keep your kids safe,” she said.

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