Should Teachers carry guns?

Question

In the wake of school shootings in Wisconsin, Colorado and Pennsylvania during the last two weeks, a state legislator says he plans to introduce legislation that would allow teachers, principals, administrators and other school personnel to carry concealed weapons.

Rep. Frank Lasee, a Republican, said Wednesday that, while his idea may not be politically correct, it has worked effectively in other countries.

"To make our schools safe for our students to learn, all options should be on the table," he said. "Israel and Thailand have well-trained teachers carrying weapons and keeping their children safe from harm. It can work in Wisconsin."

In Thailand, where officials have been waging a bloody fight with Muslim separatists for the last two years, some teach

ers carry weapons for self defense as they are viewed as part of the government. In Israel, teachers are not allowed to carry weapons in the school, but security guards at the entrances are armed.

Lasee stressed that the measure would hinge on school staff members getting strict training on the use of the weapons. He also acknowledged he would have to work around a federal law that bans guns on school grounds.

The director of school safety for Milwaukee Public Schools, Pete Pochowski, expressed opposition to Lasee's proposal.

"Statistically, the safest place for a child to be is in school," Pochowski said. "We have problems in our schools, but not to the point where we need to arm our teachers and principals."
Children in countries such as Israel and Thailand are far more vulnerable to daily violence than students in America, he said.

"In the country we live in, we have a lot of freedom," Pochowski said, "and we have to expose ourselves to some danger to keep that."

Answer 1

Teachers in Israel went through military training and showed responsibility with firearms for years before taking a teacher's role ... plus they live and teach blocks away from a possible war zone.
Kids there see armed soldiers on almost every street corner, which is reasuring for their society.

There is no comparison. Once your country becomes a police state, you can ask for armed educators. Until then, don't send the wrong message to students.

There are other non-leathal weapons which may be available; sprays and stuns. Anyone carrying those around kids with lesser tolerance of pain need to show an aptitude test and train regularly with them as a pre-requisite

Answer 2

It is clear that passing laws won't keep evil people from shooting innocent people on school property. CNN even admitted the guy in PA chose his target because of no security. An armed monster will always defeat an unarmed guard. The only way to defeat force is with Superior firepower.

When I was a kid I had buddies that brought their rifles to school because they would hunt on the way home. We never had this problem. Having guns on the premises may actually deter monsters from doing such things

Answer 3

Absolutely NOT.

If anything, more funding should be given to schools for proper security officers to patrol around the school grounds.

I couldn't even think of my children going to a school where an administrator of any sort is carrying a gun.

I'm in no way against guns or carrying guns, but I don't feel staff should carry them within a school.

Answer 4

Yes. With proper training on shoot/no shoot scenarios, firearm retention, and marksmanship, teachers should be allowed to carry their firearm in school if they wish to do so. No one should be forced to carry. A well trained and practiced armed person is a great deterrent to violent crime.

Answer 5

It was just a matter of time......Ever since I was a child I've seen kids in other countries carrying around AK-47's.......America's finally catching up with the rest of the world.....Some one once said "Weep not for me, but for your children".....

Answer 6

Heck no! Teachers with guns? More issues, more problems. I'm sorry but that's not the answer. Let the professionals handle this. Like cops and S.W.A.T.

Answer 7

Yes, M-16's

Answer 8

YES! And the liberals wanting to ban them should be sent directly to jail! Airline pilots should have them, as well...and every person with integrity who is in a postition of leadership and responsibility.

You see, people have become so misguided, that they have actually come to believe that only criminals should be armed, and the police who can not possibly arrive there in 5 seconds.

Answer 9

No way.That is all we need.The hoodlums in some of these schools can easily over power a teacher,take the weapon and do all kinds of damage.
Some of the teachers that i have encountered can't even maintain order with a bunch of second graders,let alone maintain possession of their weapons.
I am very pro-gun,but i don't think guns in the class room is the answer.

Answer 10

Trained police should be the ones to carry them, the budget for police officers in every high school for every 500 students should be a federal issue.