Should Teachers Carry Firearms?
See exerpts from this article:MADISON, Wis. - In the wake of school shootings in Wisconsin, Colorado and Pennsylvania during the last two weeks, a state legislator says he plans to introduce legislation that would allow teachers, principals, administrators and other school personnel to carry concealed weapons.
Rep. Frank Lasee, a Republican, said Wednesday that, while his idea may not be politically correct, it has worked effectively in other countries.
To make our schools safe for our students to learn, all options should be on the table," he said. "Israel and Thailand have well-trained teachers carrying weapons and keeping their children safe from harm. It can work in Wisconsin.
In Thailand, where officials have been waging a bloody fight with Muslim separatists for the last two years, some teachers carry weapons for self defense as they are viewed as part of the government. In Israel, teachers are not allowed to carry weapons in the school, but security guards at the entrances are armed.
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Whatcha Think?
posted by Mercy Now @ 8:12 PM
5 Comments:
I'd definitely start by paying for teachers to carry nonlethal forms of defense like pepper spray. Given that a "long shot" in a school might be 50 feet, and an average one 20 feet or less, it could be a great way of making it difficult for the next Dylan Klebold to aim.
Allowing CC permit holders in schools? Absolutely, though I'm not quite sure how much good it would do. Certainly it would be nice, though, if the next Dylan Klebold was wondering if the teacher in the next room would be pointing a Glock at him when he came through the door.
If we arm those 'in charge' in schools, who is there to police them? It's a vicious spiral that inevitably leads to additional and costly layers of protection -- imagine the uproar if a teacher shot a supposedly unruly student.
Not all teachers, just some. And never let anyone know whose packing. Let there be a big mystery about who has a gun in there desk.
I agree with Bike Bubba.
Brian, the requirements for carry permit holders are pretty strict, actually. One must pass a background check, take a carry permit class (all day affair), and demonstrate marksmanship.
The gun may only be drawn when four conditions are present:
1. The permit holder must have immediate reason to believe death of grievous bodily harm will result if he doesn't draw & shoot.
2. The permit holder must be a reluctant participant--a victim, not an instigator.
3. The permit holder must retreat if practical.
4. The permit holder must use lesser force if practical.
If any of these conditions are not met, the permit holder is likely to be prosecuted. Also, even if these conditions are met, civil action is likely.
Which is to say that the scenario you describe is extremely unlikely--which is why it hasn't occurred in any of the 35+ states that have adopted shall issue concealed carry laws. Permit holders clearly know the boundaries of where they are permitted to act.
Yes, it's not the Wild Wild West as the permit holder will be prosecuted if he doesn't obey the laws. Thanks for clearing that up, BB.
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