Good point about how suspicions could possibly be cast on innocent GT students.

But I don't think the OP intended to imply that bringing weapons to school was somehow justified. The key word is "feel", that was used in her question, "Is it any wonder kids feel the need to bring weapons to school for protection?" So she is suggesting that the feeling may be justified, not actually bringing weapons in.

I am certainly against kids bringing weapons to school, but think it's an important question to address. Everyone is entitled to their feelings, and if kids truly feel this way, it shouldn't be denied. The question it leads to is really - how do we create and support school environments so kids don't feel this way? At least that's how I interpreted it.