would you give up your guns?

So what happens the 1st time a teacher loses track of their gun in school? When a student goes nuts and overpowers the teacher and takes it? The teacher withdraws off anti depressants and goes on a shooting spree. The armed teacher is not in the same vicinity where the trouble is happening?

The contingencies are always outweighed by the variables.

 

It's absolutely appropriate to have a handful of teachers trained to use a firearm and have that firearm locked up in case of an emergency like we saw yesterday. So yes.

 

I'm definitely not in favor of anyone knowing what teacher is carrying (hell I'm not even sure I would want a teacher to actually be carrying, They do make small concealable safes nowadays). For some reason people keep looking at these teachers like they are all little old ladies. I know two Marine veterans who are now teachers, and I had a handful of male teachers who were sporting/hunting enthusiasts. If we really want to protect these kids from crazies we need to face reality of the country we live in.

Fine, ban all assualt weapons (not specifiacally directing this are you). But guess what, there's still MILLIONS of them available for people to buy privately. Unless the government is going to go door to door and confiscate each and every one, kids in schools won't be completely safe. I guess some people just don't want to live in reality of what this world has become.

 

And this would lead to the next civil war. Not even kidding. Some people still hold on to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as being what makes America America because it is. Deny those people those rights in the Bill of Rights and you will have become a domestic invader on American soil. Scary times people.

 

Unfortunately nothing new. Found this bit of history this morning. Worst US elementary school massacre was back in the 20's. Dude used a bomb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster

 

Having guns in a lock up and having teachers carrying are two different things , so basically you didn't answer my question

 

Wasn't there a shooting in NYC a few months ago where the Cops shot at a guy within 25' and wounded 3 or 4 other people? If the cops can't hit a target, I'm not taking my chances with a teacher in that situation.

 

In theory I agree with you -- people who have taken the time to go through the vetting process of a CCL and have adequate experience in handling their firearm COULD be given the opportunity to carry concealed.

But I also feel this opens the door to many more accidents and smaller-scale incidents.

As for the "gun-free zones" being the reason for these targets - I don't have the data in front of me, but I don't necessarily feel that's the methodology behind the choice of targets. Generally it seems that the shooter has chosen these places because they have a relationship with the schism in their psyche. Jared Loughner shot Giffords outside in broad daylight and I would think he would have assumed she would have a security detail.

They choose the targets not because they know they are "soft targets" but because they have an emotional connection to them. Maybe they were bullied in the school, or are trying to emulate the violent imagery on the movie screen.

 

This.

What if some kid sets off a string of firecrackers in the hall and Mr. Johnson comes out blazing?

The concept of teachers/staff aside from assigned police officers being allowed to bring firearms into a school is a very delicate situation. I would think that the negatives would certainly outweigh the benefits (benefits which could otherwise be countered by increased police presence/tougher entry to schools).

 

If the teachers were not properly trained then yes it would be a very bad idea for teachers to be armed however if they are propely trained than I'm all for teachers being armed.

 

x2 Why should law abideing citizens be punished for a physco's actions

 

Wouldn't it be better to have a trained , armed security gaurd ?

 

yes that would be a good idea too and i agree 100%

 

I'll take unequaled access and availability of firearms for 2000, Alex.

The million-dollar question, though. Is what are we as a country going to do about it? What CAN we do about it?

Personally, I don't support gun-grabs, "assault-weapons" bans, or any of the standard knee-jerk "solutions." I feel all they do is punish responsible owners and erode rights. I also don't feel that increased armament or "an armed society is a polite society" are the answers either.

But it's become obvious that we can no longer tolerate these sorts of mass killings in the exchange for our perceived freedoms.

Oh, and it's nice to see such classy reaction from the NRA on the matter:

"After this morning’s shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, the National Rifle Association cancelled a planned Twitter promotion with country music rapper Colt Ford." Link

 

But who determines how they are trained and what constitutes "properly trained?"

Who pays for this training? Taxpayers? School districts? The teachers themselves?

How much do you have to pay a "properly trained" teacher? They should obviously make more than a regular teacher. How will school budgets be affected when they have to decide between a "trained" teacher and repairing the cafeteria, or when they have to cut staff because the bond issue failed?

Are there quotas? How many "trained" teachers per 500 students? What if a "trained teacher" is an incredible shot, but a shitty educator?

What about inner-city schools who a.) probably can't afford "trained teachers" and b.) probably need them more than most other schools?

How is the budget increase for "trained teachers" more justifiable than increased security measures like steel shutters or metal detectors or police?

Where does the liability lie in the case of an incident or accident? The school? The teacher? How much will that cost in insurance compared to the current model? Is that worth a budget increase to cover the premiums?

It's not as simple as just having "trained teachers" with guns.

 

As of right now firearms aren't allowed on school grounds by anyone but policeman. Having a teacher with proper firearms training carrying concealed it a better option than nobody with weapons. And having the gun secured but easily accessable to responsible adults is an even better option.

 

It would be. But this country is already broke. Can every school afford to hire a $30-40K a year security guard? I doubt it.

 

See my post above yours.

 

If the security concern warrants it , they would include it in their budget

 

Anybody can be taught to shoot a gun, and with practice and rehearsal of having the Teacher in between her students and the intruder is something to easy to do. On top of having Teachers armed to protect, will have intruders think twice of attacking. Its that analogy of a bully picking on a weak individual. In the military we call it, putting yourself as a hard target and not a soft target. Anyone can kick a poodle or a Chihuahua, but will defently think twice about kicking a pit bull or a doberman pinscher.
Knowledge is power. Raise children up around weapons of protection and not of destruction.