Teachers and Concealed Weapons?

[12string]

In the light of the recent upswing in violence in our school systems (Sandy Hook Conn.). What do you think about teachers carrying concealed weapons? Should additional training be required or should CCWs be outlawed for teachers altogether? I realize that this can be a controversial topic but, I am a teacher and I would feel more secure knowing that I could protect my students and myself should the need arise.

 

[dougb1946]

There are already properly trained teachers carrying concealed in several states, with no problems. Concealed is concealed, and in my view is more effective than an armed uniformed guard sitting at a desk in the entryway.

There is no upswing in the violence, just more coverage. Like airplane crashes, school shootings are rare, tragic, and covered by TV until the next great tragedy.

 

[StatesRightist]

I think you need both visible security and teachers carrying concealed. It should be optional/at will for teachers, but be required of Administrators.

I also feel there should be mandatory training firearms, shoot, don't shoot etc for those who do carry. There should also be mandatory training for all school personnel on what to do in case of an active shooter, bullet proof secure doors on all entry and classroom doors and mandatory drills carried out with students.

That way panic would be less, in a lock down you could secure your door so no one could get to you and as you say, worst case scenario an armed response would be available.

This would go hand in hand with counselors and psychologists being required to forward the names of all students who they know pose a potential threat to others to the authorities. The school system should then required to have a hearing on whether to remove the student or not, as well as a judge review whether the threat should be put in mental health custody, barring a complete psychological review. All of the above should be statutorily required with a very short time window allowed.

Finally, counselors, psychologists and administrators should be criminally and civilly liable for any failure to comply.

There's a long answer to your question.

P.S. Bullying should be an automatic expulsion and the teachers/admins civilly liable for failure to deal with it.

 

[grif684]

I see no reason why properly trained teachers shouldn't have the option to CCW......

 

[amazingflapjack]

The salient question, in my view, would be one of retrospect. Those (politicians and others) whose negative, knee jerk reaction to the NRA's suggestion to have armed personnel in schools in the immediate future, should then be asked if they would have chosen to have those armed individuals in the school when this deranged individual showed up, in retrospect. All who held to their initial negative response, would, in my view, show us where the reasonable, responsible logic was.

 

[P&R Fan]

I absolutely support letting teachers carry. Parents too, for that matter. The whole "Gun Free Zone" thing has been shown to be ineffective, and actually more dangerous. I have read Texas is considering letting teachers carry. Good for them. But it would obviously be optional, and I think training should be provided.
The other consideration is this, and I don't want to get political, but I'll be careful. Many teachers are more Liberal than Conservative, and the thought of being armed would be anathema to them. Especially in the blue states. Probably in Texas it might be different, but I think the teachers that would carry would be in the minority.
Personally, I'm glad some of mine weren't carrying. I'd probably be dead, but that's another story.
Jim

 

[harvester1]

With a Concealed Pistol License and some additional training to fit particular school needs, I support the idea. I am a Teacher, Psychologist, and Social Worker albiet, retired.

 

[turnejm]

Teachers and Firearms?

First and Foremost - An Individual has the right to Protect themselves and their Loved Ones!!! If a teacher wishes to go through the Training and Certification for a CCW License, More Power to Them! But, to be expected (I wish I could underline "expected") to be a Law Officer and a Solider, is asking for a lot of trouble. It is my understanding that passive security measures were in place, and was breached at Sandy Hook. Locks and security bars will only slow down an intruder, not stop them. When our society has to arm and protect our elementary schools and Churches, It is the time to step back and re-evaluate the Leadership and laws of this country! Removal of self defense weapons from a law abiding CITIZEN of this country is not the answer! Thank You, John

 

[Grant W]

As a CCW Permit holder and teacher in a state the allows CCW in schools, I carry at work. Safety for my students and myself is my #1 priority, and I'm prepared to use deadly force if required.

Step 1- Turn off lights and barricade the door.
Step 2- Get all my students together so they cannot be seen from any window
Step 3- Call 911 and quickly explain the situation
Step 4- Get ready to respond with lethal force if the assilant tries to enter the room

I'm not SWAT trained, and have no desire to go looking for trouble in the halls against someone probably armed with a rifle or shotgun. I have one school aged child, and am fine with the idea of their teacher being armed too.

Most teachers take their responsibilities seriously, and are no doubt serious about protecting their kids if they go through the time and expense of getting a CCW permit.

 

[Lost Lake]

On the Today Show they aired a short segment on teachers flocking to gun training classes, some of which are being offered for free.

A couple of interviewed teachers said they'd like to be able to protect themselves and their students....

 

[12string]

Our Pastor, at the church I am a member of, is well protected. Many of the congregation carry and are CCW permit holders. It is a sad state when we have to protect our churches from those that should be institutionalized. I classifying myself as a Conservative and find myself in the minority in my profession of teaching.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I'd like to see a program that would allow teachers to take their concealed carry class free or at a discount. Perhaps that would encourage many to learn more about firearms and become responsible gun owners.

 

[Rastoff]

In the light of the recent upswing in violence in our school systems (Sandy Hook Conn.)

This is a misnomer. The shooting at Sandy Hook is not an indicator of an "upswing" in violence. It is an isolated incident.

That said, I believe that teachers should be handled like every other citizen. If they want to carry, they should be able to do so. If they don't, they shouldn't be forced to.

I would like to see an armed guard at schools. Our kids are our most precious commodity.

 

[OneMini]

I'm all for teachers carrying concealed in schools as guardians. IF they are trained beyond the CCW requirements. I.e. in gun handling, shoot/don't shoot, hostage situations, and specific protective protocols for their class rooms.

I've had a Florida CCW and currently hold a Washington CCW. In both cases the requirements were pretty minimal and I wouldn't feel competent to handle a school shooting incident without more training.

YMMV.

 

[Rastoff]

Front Sight is offering free training to any teacher who wants it and will carry a gun.

 

[Cyrano]

I'd like to see teachers woth a CCW from their state be able to carry in their school. It would be more of a deterrent: the terrorist woudn't know which schools or classrooms might be able to offer effective resistance.

Armed guards woldn't be as effective; they'd be a lot more expensive, and an armed intruder would plan to take them out first.

 

[PuertoRican]

All schools in TN are gun free zones. My son teaches at the local high school. He has had a carry permit for five years but has to leave his piece at home when he goes to work. I am totally in favor of allowing teachers with permits to carry on school premises.

 

[Jeffemac]

I have no problem with properly trained teachers voluntarily carrying.

 

[DigiRebel]

Step 1- Turn off lights and barricade the door.
Step 2- Get all my students together so they cannot be seen from any window
Step 3- Call 911 and quickly explain the situation
Step 4- Get ready to respond with lethal force if the assilant tries to enter the room

This, so very much this.

Talking with a co-worker in late December this conversation came up. As a student in a shooting situation, would you feel better being herded into a "safe" corner of the room, having the door locked and lights turned off and hoping that an armed assailant doesn't realize that a bullet makes a great door key. Or that plus the teacher pulls a weapon and says, "If anyone forces their way through this door, I am going to blow their effing head off."

I don't think armed teachers should be mandatory, but I do think that teachers who choose to should be able to carry. Look at the teachers in Connecticut. They were heroes. From the Principal and School Psychologist who tried to attack the filth shooting in a school (God how I wish they'd been properly armed!) to the teachers who used their bodies to defend children. If just 1 or two of them had been carrying and prepared to defend the kids how different would the numbers have been that day.

 

[gunny4053]

Talk to the teachers in Utah and Kansas, I believe the only two states that currently authorize teachers to carry at school. There is a training company in Utah that teaches CCW classes, and has offered their training to any Utah educator who wishes to attend for free. The response was so overwhelming they had to schedule additional classes.

Kind of funny, haven't heard about too many school shootings in Kansas or Utah, but that's lost on the media and DC. Just sayin.