Do you think it's a good idea to arm teachers?

Question

I found this article on CNN.

What do you think?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/15/gun.toting.teachers.ap/index.html

Answer 1

I perosnally dont think its a good idea. What would happen if a teacher has a gun, BUT the students are bigger then her & they can over power the teacher, & the gun gets in the wrong hands??

Im so THANKFUL I homeschool our son.  

Answer 2

I'm just waiting for the first teacher to go "Postal" on her disruptive pupils.  Considering how little classroom management they seem to be capable of anymore, that's likely to be this fall sometime where the welfare hucksters we call teachers are allowed to carry weapons.  "That's it, Rae-Anne, I said no more talking!"  BANG!

Answer 3

I've heard in Israel the teachers can carry guns because of the political issues there.  I haven't heard of a single time an Israeli teacher went berzerk with one.  

Personally, I am of a mixed opinion on the issue.  Part of me wouldn't care if an armed student on a rampage was brought down by an armed teacher.  But on the other hand I worry about errant bullets and the impact on trust it might create.  

Personally, as a teacher I've worn body armor to class.  That isn't illegal.  You just have to wear it under a suit so it isn't seen.  If its seen it becomes useless because you'll just get shot in the head.  I also have taught before in an inner city, gang infested neighborhood, and once seriously considered storing my .38 special in my car and parking off campus.  I figured if I got to my car alive I might have a decent chance at firing back as they drove by.  But I also feared my car being stolen if parked on the street so I said no to that.  

Think I'm kidding?  Sorry, I'm also NRA.  

Answer 4

Disaster.  Just wait until the first teacher accidentally shoots the wrong student!

Answer 5

Contrary to the misinformation given earlier, there have been discussions in most states about arming teachers (in the wake of the incident at Virginia Tech).  I personally think that it is a bad idea.

The only true solution to violence is peace, not more violence.  Education and compassion are needed, not more violence.

Arming teachers does not cause students to act more civilly toward each other.  If you look at the school shootings, the teachers are seldom targets.  It is fellow students.  

Teachers often intervene with students in conflict.  That becomes harder when the students begin to see the teacher as law enforcement.

Just a few thoughts....

And, if you think a teacher could end a shooting spree, ask how most of them end.  Law enforcement (even if they are on the scene) almost never end the spree.  The shooter(s) end it themselves.

All because they felt like no one cared about them.

Arming teachers does nothing for that problem.

Answer 6

TEACHERS ARE ROLE MODEL FOR SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN AS WELL AS SOCIETY SO THEY SHOULD NOT BE ARMED 'CAUSE AFTER ALL THEY ALSO HUMAN BEING THEY CAN LOSE TEMPER ANY TIME AND WILL SHOOT STUDENTS , THEN STUDENTS WOULD START FOLLOWING TEACHER SHOOTING OTHERS INCLUDING TEACHERS AND THEN PARENTS AND THEN EACH AND EVERY WHERE BLOOD SHOWERS WILL MAKE A h**l VIEW ON THE EARTH

Answer 7

That story is not a start of a trend at all.

Face it, Texas is a bit different at times. Plus - did you read the story? 50 or so teachers and staff members in the *district*

I have more than that in my *building*

Small districts will always do what they want - very little pressure from the public - the board members probably have been on the board for multiple years. If carrying a firearm is prevalent in the area - Im assuming it is - then sure they can implement it in their schools.

But reality check - it doesn't matter what anyone *thinks* - it will NEVER happen nationwide. There are myriad reasons - but one very simple on is liability. How many firearms would be stolen or used improperly - your district can never cover that liability cost. Heck - we even took out the jungle gyms as they were afraid of kids falling and suing.

Answer 8

Here's what they'll do with it:

1. shoot half the students cuz she had a bad day/found out her husbands cheating on her.

2. hold it to your head when she's saying 'i want that assignment tomorrow'.

3. shoot the geek cuz he raised his hand to finish her sentences and she thought he was gonna shoot her first.

Hmmm... come to think of it, it's not much worse than what the system is already, so what the h**l, let 'em have it!