The PASS Weapons Detection White Paper: A Blueprint for Safer Schools 

In an era of increasing concern over school safety, the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has released a white paper entitled “What Is Weapons Detection?”- a practical guide designed to help schools understand, evaluate, and implement weapons detection technologies. 

Who Is PASS? 

PASS is a national volunteer organization made up of experts from education, public safety, and the security industry. Their mission is to provide schools with clear, non-commercial guidance on safety and security best practices. PASS is known for its tiered safety guidelines and actionable resources, and this white paper continues that legacy by addressing one of the most urgent topics in school security: weapons detection. Evolv is honored to be a participant in the PASS Weapons Detection Roundtable Group, contributing insights and expertise to help shape this important resource. 

What the Paper Covers 

The white paper outlines five categories of weapons detection technologies: 

• Metal Detectors: Traditional systems that detect metallic objects, often used at entry points. 

• Weapons Detection Systems: Advanced detectors that use algorithms to reduce false alarms and improve throughput. 

• Brandished Weapons Detection: AI-powered video surveillance that identifies visible weapons in real time. 

• Gunshot Detection: Acoustic and infrared systems that detect and localize gunfire. 

• X-ray Detection: Used for screening bags and packages for concealed threats. 

PASS emphasizes that no single technology can detect every threat. Instead, schools must assess their unique environment, define what types of weapons they aim to detect, and choose tools that align with their operational needs and safety goals. Developing a layered approach to bolster school safety, combining human expertise & technology, can help to create a more robust and adaptable security strategy to address evolving threats. 

A New Standard in School Safety 

Rather than promoting specific products, PASS sets a new standard for how schools should approach weapons detection, one rooted in strategy. This standard includes: 

• Establishing clear expectations for what threats to detect 

• Integrating detection tools into broader safety protocols 

• Training staff and maintaining systems regularly 

• Communicating openly with students, parents, and the community 

This process-driven model encourages schools to move beyond reactive measures and toward proactive, layered security planning. 

Why It Matters 

PASS’s white paper does not guarantee outcomes, but it does offer a framework for making informed, realistic decisions. By focusing on threat assessment, operational readiness, and community transparency, schools can better position themselves to reduce risk and respond effectively. 

It’s important to remember that technology cannot replace the human abilities required to neutralize threats. After all, technology alone cannot prevent weapons from entering schools. It requires the appropriate staff, training, and processes. The role of technology is to empower staff to detect and address potential threats, not to serve as a stand‑in for human judgment. 

In a landscape filled with complex technologies and high-stakes decisions, PASS helps to bring clarity to school safety. Their guidance helps schools ask the right questions, set achievable goals, and build safer environments through thoughtful planning and collaboration.