| Stranger Than Fiction: Teachers to Carry Guns? |
| posted by: Colin | January 21, 2011, 07:30 PM |
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"If you have a kid come in to shoot a teacher ... or other kids, it's best to have somebody that can take care of the situation," stated Nebraska State Senator Mark Christensen. Currently 42 states and the District of Columbia have banned guns in schools. According to a recent report, the only school district in the country that allows guns to be carried into school is the Harrold Independent School District in Texas. The policy was enacted in 2007 and requires those carrying the firearms to be trained and carry special non-lethal bullets. Harrold Superintendent David Thweatt stated, "We are our first responders" and that he finds the policy "comforting". Thweat noted that small rural schools often cannot afford security guards. "To say that the only people who can protect themselves have to [have] a badge ... that's just ludicrous. There are a lot of people who can act responsibly." Obviously safety concerns are paramount in schools. "It would be extremely dangerous for teachers to be firing weapons in the classroom," argues Daniel Vice, senior attorney at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence citing countless possible accidents involving children. While every school system is different, the debate has been gaining national media attention and raises questions regarding teachers' many roles in the classroom. What do you think of the proposed policy? Comment below. >> Originally posted by Alix on the AAE Blog.
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