SMYRNA, Tenn. (WKRN) — You've seen them at airports and concert venues, but now this technology is being used at high school football games.

The Smyrna Bulldogs kicked off Friday night's game with weapon detectors at the entrance.

Rutherford County Schools became the first school district in Tennessee to install the Opengate weapons detection system at a high school athletic event. The technology, familiar to anyone who has walked into Nissan Stadium or Bridgestone Arena, is designed to spot weapons quickly while avoiding any kind of logjam in the process.

"It's mandatory to say 'Go Bulldogs' when you enter the stadium," one security staff member joked to a student about to scan through security.

The requirement was obviously not real, but the detectors were.

And for many students, parents and faculty, adjusting to the extra layer of security came with optimism and a willingness to embrace change in hope of preventing something that, in schools across the country, has too often ended in tragedy.

"The intent here is to make sure our games are safer for spectators, students, players and everyone," Rutherford County Schools Chief Communications Officer James Evans told News 2 on Friday night.

Lines did form at Smyrna on opening night, but school officials said that was expected. The technology is new, and the crowds were large. Evans said the system is meant to catch weapons quickly, not slow the Friday night experience.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/rutherford-county-schools-debuts-weapons-detection-system-at-smyrna-high-school-football-game/