Time is critical in these tense situations. The ability to provide a few more minutes of protection until help arrives can make all the difference in the final outcome. Our table was created for just that reason, to buy additional time until responding officers arrive on site. Our table appears and functions as any other table. In the event of an active shooter, the person seated at the table releases the pull handle on the underside of the table.  The top quickly and easily rotates upward to create a bullet resistant barrier in under five seconds. Add more tables side by side to lengthen this solid barrier of protection. 

These tables could be incorporated into monthly drills, much like the tornado drills we participated in when we were in school. One day each month, teachers and student would practice flipping the tables up, interlinking them together and having students practice filing in behind them in timed drills.  It is our firm belief that, with some practice, our tables can be flipped up, inter-linked and the entire classroom filed in and sheltered behind the tables in under 30 seconds. A separate table (the Administrator’s desk), would be flipped up and wheeled in front of the door entrance. The casters locked so it could not easily be pushed away, restraining the threat to the doorway. If the threat then focused and lashed out toward the back of the classroom, anyone behind our tables would be fully protected. These same defense strategies would also apply in government facilities and office settings.