School metal detectors are commonly used in schools to check violence. Various equipment is available to detect guns, knives and other weapons which students may carry into the school campus. School metal detectors help to avoid the fear of violence among both staff and children, giving them a safe environment in which to teach and learn.

School metal detectors are installed in schools with high crime rates, to identify students who bring in undesirable objects concealed on their person. Usually school metal detectors are placed at the entrance of schools. Scanning of all students, staff, and visitors using metal detectors are needed to maintain security. An alarm signal is produced by the equipment if it recognizes a conductive metal or material. With the installation of metal detectors in schools there is a reduction in the number of weapons that come into the school campus.