Arming teachers in K-12 with firearms

Arming teachers in K-12 with firearms

Tierra Cole

trc72@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Following the most recent school shooting in  Parkland, Florida, American citizens and Education professionals are having the conversation of arming teachers and other alternatives for protecting students.

Many feel conflicted with arming teachers because of outlying factors that determine someone's mental capability and amount of training that may be required to prepare for a shooting. However, the common concern that brings everyone together is how to better protect students.

Shannon Fitzpatrick Photo by Christopher Green

While some schools do not allow open carry others have already implemented a policy to allow teachers to bring guns to school. According to USAToday, Texas is one of the states that has allowed some teachers to carry guns in school.  A policy created by the Texas Association of School Boards allows 172 out of 1,023 school districts to allow staff to carry firearms.

While some support teachers being able to carry firearms, others such as Texas State University Attorney for Students, Shannon Fitzpatrick, feel adamantly opposed. She said the purpose of a handgun is to kill other human beings.

Evan Brieden Photo by Dymond Sam

“Most teachers are not prepared to do that, it’s not their mindset, which is what makes them good school teachers,” said Fitzpatrick. “Secondly, professionals such as the police force trains on a regular basis for emergency situations.”

Texas State student Evan Brieden does not think arming teachers would help resolve school shootings however he believes in the right to bear arms.

“I’m not sure if I would feel entirely supportive or not, though I do believe we have the right to bear arms and it’s in our needs and a part of our rights. I don’t think arming teachers would help resolve the problem. I think you need to start with the root of psychological help in regards to the school shootings recently, as opposed to arming teachers,” said Brieden.  

Otto Glenewinkel Photo by Dymond Sam

Texas State University Police Officer Otto Glenewinkel said that school’s hired and trained professionals should be the ones allowed to be armed to protect students.

“Equip them properly, train them properly, and put them in the schools to do the job of protecting the students, the staff and the faculty,” said Glenewinkle. “Hire the right people, and give them the right weapons. Metal detectors, you know, have them walk through it.”

Some future teachers are preparing to be in the classroom such as Daniel Verasa who is studying at Texas State

Daniel Verasa Photo by Tierra Cole

University to become a teacher for English and social studies. Verasa likes the idea of having a system that alerts if there is an intruder, however, believes the system may be to expensive.

“I’ve seen a couple videos where they just have an automated system when an intruder would go in but I think it’s just really expensive so I don’t think if teachers aren’t getting paid enough right from the start why would they want to install millions of dollars in technology and equipment just to keep kids safe," said Verasa.

Hannah Guerrero Photo by Tierra Cole

Texas State student Hannah Guerrero said she came from a high school that had metal detectors.

“Every once in a while we found a student with a gun and I understand it takes a lot out of a morning but it really did help with security purposes. If it’s something that needs to be implemented in all schools so be it,” said Guerrero.

From CNBC and according to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are nearly 3.6 Million teachers in America. Providing training and supplying materials for these teachers is a concern that comes up when discussing arming teachers. Some people feel like taxpayers dollars should be spent on supplying other resources for students such as future teacher and geography major, Julian Salazar, who said he would rather not be armed with a gun.

Julian Salazar Photo by  Shanell Smith

“I would prefer the money would be put in to getting supplies for students verses guns. Like I think that would be more beneficial for my students instead of me having a gun for the chance that it might need to be used. I think it could be diverted to better resources right now,” said Salazar.

To join the conversation and find more information on protecting students of America from gun violence check out the National Education Association's website where you can read on three keys to school safety. You can also contact your members of congress on gun violence prevention located on the side bar of the article or click here.