Arming teachers in schools K-12

Arming teachers in schools K-12

By: Carlos Mercado

c_m609@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas— In the wake of the recent school shooting in Florida, students and staff at Texas State University answered questions on how they feel about arming teachers in schools K-12.

According to CNN, schools throughout the country have already implemented their own state laws related to guns. Although many of these campuses are colleges, some states have already given teachers the ability to carry guns in K-12 schools.

Freshman Mark Villanueva said that arming teachers is a great idea and that it could lead to less violence in schools.

Photo by: Carlos Mercado

“I think it’s a great idea for teachers who have experience with weapons and who receive the proper training. Arming teachers could help improve the safety of students and can lead to less attacks in schools,” said Villanueva.

Debate whether or not schools should allow firearms has now reached White House officials, President Trump has said that he would offer federal funds for “rigorous firearms training” to qualified school officials.

Photo by: Kathryn Willis

Student Blake Mitchell, also said that proper certification should be required when handling firearms. He said that arming teachers with the appropriate training can help put an end to school shootings.

“I think they should go through regular certification to get your LTC (license to carry), they should have to go through other classes outside of school and inside school … and get recertified annually or biannually. Teachers need to know what they are doing and how to shoot. Teachers also shouldn’t be forced to carry but it can be up to them,” said Mitchell.

An NBC news survey showed how majority of Americans are against arming teachers but 42% said that they should. Attorney for Texas State students, Shannon Fitzpatrick, said that arming teachers isn’t the solution and that teachers shouldn’t be armed in the classroom.

Photo by: Christopher Green

“Most teachers are not prepared to do that, it’s not their mindset, which is what makes them good school teachers. Secondly, professionals such as the police force trains on a regular basis for emergency situations. The arming of our teachers is done with virtually no training other than shooting at a target once a year maybe and depending on the state. That’s a very different situation from an active shooter when someone is shooting at you or children,” said Fitzpatrick.

Communication Studies major, Jayla Dunbar is also one who is against the arming of teachers. She said that having a gun in the classroom gives opportunities to others who can possibly get control of it and can cause damage.

Photo by: Dymond Sam

“I would not be for it just because I don’t feel like anyone should have a gun, and plus if there’s a gun in the classrooms someone else could get control of it … Just because it’s assigned to a teacher doesn’t mean the teachers always going to be the one who’s going to be carrying it or using it,” said Dunbar.

Photo by: Cole Sanchez

In a recent school shooting in Maryland, a 17-year-old male shot two students at Great Mills High School. School security officer Blaine Gaskill quickly responded to the incident and put a stop before others could get hurt. When asked about the shooting, student Cody Huffman said that arming security officers would be necessary and that schools should enforce better security systems.

“For teachers, I think it’s a little much for students especially at a young age like that. For security guards, I do feel like it is necessary they are the ones that are protecting the school. I think it’s also about enforcing better lock systems and systems of lockdown to really advocate and protect the students and staff,” said Huffman.

Texas State Alumnus Joseph Losoya, also said that arming security guards would be the better choice and not teachers.

Photo by: Cole Sanchez

“No not armed teachers, maybe armed security. People who are highly trained in it, but not the teachers,” said Losoya.

Although no policies have been put into effect, solutions have been proposed to this ongoing issue with gun violence. There are currently 14 states who have armed teachers such as, Arizona and Arkansas.