Should public school teachers be encouraged or allowed to be armed in the class

1. 66

   Ralph Deedsposted 10 years ago

   Should public school teachers be encouraged or allowed to be armed in the class room?
   
   Do you agree with the National Rifle Association's recommendation that teachers be encouraged, after training, to be armed in the classroom?

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2. 70

   BigJulesMagsposted 10 years ago

   Unless they're a psychiatric risk, I think they should be armed just about anywhere.

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   1. 66

      Ralph Deedsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Wouldn't the risk of gun accidents outweigh the risk of Newtown type incidents?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeGD7r6s-zU

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   2. 70

      BigJulesMagsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not sure how one has a gun "accident."  Last I checked, aiming and firing a gun is inherently done with intent.

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   3. 66

      Ralph Deedsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Apparently you didn't bother to watch the linked video of a DEA agent shooting himself in the foot with his Glock while demonstrating handgun safety.

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   4. 65

      LandmarkWealthposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Gun accidents don't compare to the number of people who are defenselessly slaughtered each year.  I'd rather have a fighting chance.

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3. 62

   Lisa HWposted 10 years ago

   I can't comfortably say that I do, particularly since there are a lot of things security-wise that could be done in schools - but I have other reasons in addition to that one that comes most immediately to mind.
   
   As someone who has been "paying attention" to the "overall picture" of things that have gone on with, for example, America's children (I can't confidently offer a "reading" on children in other countries because I've lived in the U.S. all my life); I think (no, know) there are deeper, less-surface-level matters that need to be addressed with regard to things like school shootings.  Of course, fixing those will take time; and in the meantime, there needs to be something done to protect everyone inside schools.
   
   The subject is a Hub I've been incubating for a long time now.  There are things adults - parents, educators, even therapists who specialize in trying to help children - need to understand better about children before yet more children become so damaged, lost, isolated and/or angry that they essentially become "time bombs".  True a lot of today's misunderstood and lost kids don't become so extremely destructive that they go on shooting rampage; but even for all of those who don't, a whole lot of them become destructive to themselves, others and/or in relationships because far too few people understand "how children work", or more importantly how children feel.
   
   So, while something certainly needs to be done to address the most immediate potential threats, if a lot things about young children don't become better and more widely understood in the near future we're going to have more and more kids so damaged, isolated, alone (whether they have loving, well-meaning, but clueless parents or not) and become increasingly angry.  The disturbing thing is that many of the people who have taken us all down this road are those who mean well, are well educated, have "say" in children's lives, but have little or no common sense in general and/or little or no understanding of children - or apparently, memory of being a child themselves.

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4. 74

   pagesvoiceposted 10 years ago

   Teachers are trained to educate and not act as police, military or armed security. The best way to stop the insanity of a gun crazed mentality is to remove the image from young inquisitive eyes. Guns, guns and more guns only increases the threat of more violence.
   
   What would prevent students from overpowering an unsuspecting teacher and stealing their weapon? What about the teacher who had a bad day or a fight with their spouse or partner and then goes "postal" with a loaded gun in the classroom?
   
   Many schools have implemented strict security guidelines. There are now security cameras placed at every point of entry. Schools are in virtual lock down mode with only one doorway for parents to enter after being identified and buzzed in. Loitering in hallways are now kept to a minimum. Teachers are required to keep their cell phones on in case of emergencies. Classrooms now have locks on the doors. Finally, some schools in troubled areas do have armed resource officers.
   
   The sad truth is the fact that no matter what security measures are in place, there will always be those who seek to harm others. School campuses do not have bulletproof windows and consequently, no matter how many people may be armed, there is still nothing to prevent a person from shooting out windows to gain entry.
   
   This September my wife will commence her 39th year as a teacher and to quote her verbatim, "The day I have to carry a gun to school will be the last day I teach."

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   1. 72

      William F. Torpeyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well said.

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   2. 74

      pagesvoiceposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you. My wife loves what she does and it would be a major loss if people like her left their profession because of pressure from the gun lobby. My wife teaches love and kindness and NOT violence through the end of a gun.

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5. 0

   Justsilvieposted 10 years ago

   Lets keep guns in a roomful of children? NO!
   
   Teachers have enough on their plate without a gun to add to the responsibility.
   
   Technology, a well trained Security Staff and people educated to see emotional problems and REALLY address them before they explode sounds much more reasonable.

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6. 65

   LandmarkWealthposted 10 years ago

   Mandated no...permitted if properly trained...yes.  It's easy for people to suggest they shouldn't when they don't work in districts like my wife does.   She takes her life into her hands in her classroom.  Teachers have been attacked, beat up and raped.  Security is not armed, nor are the teachers.  They won't even let her carry pepper spray.  So what does she do when there is nobody to protect her, or protect the kids who are innocent if need be.  Many of the teachers in her district are ex-military, but they aren't permitted to carry firearms either regardless of the fact that they are properly trained.  But yet half the kids in the school carry guns illegally.  That makes sense...brilliant.  So my wife is supposed to depend on a security camera to identify the person after she is attacked, or the unarmed security to stop a crazed gunman or the regular gang members. 
   
   The NRA suggestions simply acknowledges the reality of life, that bad guys will get guns illegally regardless of the laws.  And they love gun free zones, because there is nobody to stop them.  Mass shootings at banks with armed guards don't go very far.  For some reason in this country we want to arm people to protect our politicians, our judges in court, our money in the bank, our passengers in airplanes...but not our children in school.  I guess they're not at valuable as the bank vault.

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