The NRA School Shield Program, which was designed to address "the many facets of school security, including best practices in security infrastructure, technology, personnel, training, and policy," on Monday provides 54 grants in 23 states. The grants totaled more than $600,000 and were awarded to both public and private K-12 educational institutions.

“The NRA is proud to be at a forefront of providing meaningful solutions to safeguard our nation’s schools,” NRA President Oliver North said in a statement. “Protecting our most precious resource – our children – with substantive measures that work should be the top priority for all Americans. Thanks to the generous support of NRA members, many schools will now have the necessary funding to enhance their security.”

The grant can be used to:

• Enhance and renovate their infrastructures.

• Implement access control and visitor management systems.

• Improve communications systems and emergency medicals kits.

• Perimeter fencing repairs and installation.

• Invest in life-saving training.

The NRA Shield Program is most known for its Security Assessor Training Program which creates a relationship between schools and local stakeholders to make schools more secure. At the end of the training, participants should be able to:

• Understand the role and responsibilities of a school security assessor

• Understand the difference between threat, vulnerability and risk assessments

• Identify potential threats and common vulnerabilities in the school environment

• Conduct a school vulnerability assessment based on industry best practices

• Discuss advantages of security personnel and SROs in the school environment

• Identify and communicate emerging best practices in school security

To learn more about the NRA Shield Program or apply for a grant, click here.