Next year a small Texas school district will allow teachers to bring guns to school.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080815/ts_nm/texas_guns_dc;_ylt=ArnYG9EdKCGkIXS6k8yXzCJg.3QA

I'm not sure how to express my dismay.

It's about goddamn time. Columbine, Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois, these all had a common factor: They were all gun-free zones. As long as teachers aren't letting the kids play with the things, what's the problem?

It's about goddamn time. Columbine, Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois, these all had a common factor: They were all gun-free zones. As long as teachers aren't letting the kids play with the things, what's the problem?

I don't think the answer to gun crimes is to arm everyone. It's a fear-induced reaction to a problem that's been overblown.

I don't think the answer to gun crimes is to arm everyone. It's a fear-induced reaction to a problem that's been overblown.
There is no agency that is "arming everyone". Seems to me the teachers can arm themselves if they want to, if they don't, no biggie. In fact, the armed teachers not only have to have a CCW permit, but they have to go through additional training. This seems like a surprisingly reasoned move.

There is no agency that is "arming everyone". Seems to me the teachers can arm themselves if they want to, if they don't, no biggie. In fact, the armed teachers not only have to have a CCW permit, but they have to go through additional training. This seems like a surprisingly reasoned move.I have to agree. Our teachers are trusted with the minds of our youth. I think we can trust them with their physical welfare as well.

Agreed, Borg. This is good. I don't think it's more likely for a teacher to go on a crazed shooting spree than a student, especially since adolescents tend to be quite a bit more mentally unbalanced than adults. Therefore, I'd say the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

Agreed, Borg. This is good. I don't think it's more likely for a teacher to go on a crazed shooting spree than a student, especially since adolescents tend to be quite a bit more mentally unbalanced than adults. Therefore, I'd say the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

I remember a substitute teacher being reduced to tears in junior high school. I shudder to think of the carnage that would have resulted if she'd had a Glock. ;)

So the exception is the rule Vile?

And just because someone cries, that mean they are unstable and willing to gun down children?

You assume too much. Kids aren't the same these days. They pack heat. Teachers should be allowed to defend themselves. A teacher would have background checks, training, and years and years of schooling. Meanwhile, any kid can walk through school doors. Who are you going to trust?

I remember a substitute teacher being reduced to tears in junior high school. I shudder to think of the carnage that would have resulted if she'd had a Glock. ;)

well i am not sure a substitute teacher that thinned skinned would be an ideal candidate to carry a gun in such a program. Someone said it about that out teachers are trusted with the minds of our children. If there is a fire,they are trusted with evacuating of all the students to safety.... if god forbid a school shooting does happen,why would we not give these teachers the tools to protect out children in this type of environment?
I disagree with a teacher with a gun,to go out and 'seek and destroy' if a shooting does exists... but if they are hold up hiding in a class and a student shooter tried to kick a door in for more victims,,,, i say let there be an armed teacher to use the gun as a last result of self defense.

again... protection is the key... as last resort... not free will to walk the halls shooting anything that moves... the teacher that is armed first piority is to evacuate and or hide the students..

And just because someone cries, that mean they are unstable and willing to gun down children?

You assume too much. Who are you going to trust?

I dont think a 23 year old first year out of college should be the one with the gun. i mean there needs to be guidelines and checks. i have had subs like Vile mentioned who have no business with a loaded weapon in any situation that is broader line crisis.... the fact of reality is,there are people in this world who can act correctly in times of danger and others who will panic... i am guess those who are cool under such pressure are the one who should be armed.

I dont know if you ever shot anyone Decka,and if not i hope you are never in that situation. there are three people in this world... ones who will react at a moment of danger like its an instinct... ones who will hesitate and most likely put themselves in grave danger,,, and those who claim they would act quickly and then at the last second maybe,or maybe not act... Just about ever one who is honest with themselves know where they fit in those catagories... those who should be armed,whether they are teachers,pilots,bus drivers ect... are the one who know they would react within the instant of danger. they are after all protecting innocent people in their charge.

I agree with vile.. putting guns in the hands of more and more people is a disaster,,, but times are changing so fast. things out there are getting so worse. Local,state and federal law enforcement are up to their ears solving and perjuring crimes,,,,, it is impossible for them to also prevent potential crimes. in the wild west they would deputize citizens during extreme times... i say times these days are pretty much extreme.. i do not advocate giving them all badges,,,, but a firearm to protect those around them and prevent a blood bath.... how can you be against that?

I think this is a horrible idea. I definitely don't like the idea of putting guns near more kids. If they wanted to shoot up a school but couldn't get a gun, I don't think it's impossible for them to figure out a way to get a gun from a teacher.

I also don't think the idea of arming more people is a sound solution to reducing violence. Would giving every country in the world nuclear weapons make the world a safer place? To me, this is the same thing; just on a smaller scale.

Yeah, it'll last until the first kid finds a teacher's gun and puts the whole school board out of jobs with a bang.

She prolly didn't do a good job of securing her side-arm.
Shame on her in that case.

Who are you going to trust?
When a disgruntled algebra teacher who is set to be let go at the end of the week guns your snot-nosed little kid down, or when a group of students steal the weapon from the teacher and take control of the classroom, or a coordinated gang effort puts several guns into the wrong hands and the school security out of commission, I get to ask you that question.

You want to know what I like about this news story?
(And it's not necessarily the fact that this school district in Texas is empowering teachers to arm themselves.) Though trust me, I am fine with that.

What I like about it is this:

That the State and Local Governments are still free to hold elections and make decisions regarding whether they want to empower teachers to arm themselves, without a bloated, politically-correct, and bureaucratic directive from the Federal Government.

This is what I like about living in the United States.
If you don’t care for the laws and political climate in Massachusetts, you can always move to Texas. And if you aren’t happy with the laws and political climate in Texas, you can always move to California or Hawaii. And (currently, anyway) the Federal Government only has so much control over your life choices.

We've got it pretty good here in the US, you have to admit that.
Freedom of choice, it's a powerful thing.

:)

I am strongly against this idea.

Arming teachers is not the answer. Making it more difficult to get guns into the school is.

I am strongly against this idea.

Arming teachers is not the answer. Making it more difficult to get guns into the school is.
One should be real careful with that. I've seen several schools that looked more like prisons than educational institutions. Barbed wire, metal detectors, heavy security presence. Treat children like criminals and pretty soon they'll start acting like them.

When a disgruntled algebra teacher who is set to be let go at the end of the week guns your snot-nosed little kid down, or when a group of students steal the weapon from the teacher and take control of the classroom, or a coordinated gang effort puts several guns into the wrong hands and the school security out of commission, I get to ask you that question.

Right, because there's no way any of those things could happen now.

Right, because there's no way any of those things could happen now.
So we should increase their chances? Great.

So we should increase their chances? Great.Well, students are certainly not having problems bringing their own guns to school. Maybe the thought of armed teachers would act as a detterent.

Well, students are certainly not having problems bringing their own guns to school. Maybe the thought of armed teachers would act as a detterent.

Why would teachers with guns deter kids who've already made up their mind to shoot up a school? Kids who shoot up schools don't come out alive..

Why would teachers with guns deter kids who've already made up their mind to shoot up a school? Kids who shoot up schools don't come out alive..I really dont know cbl. I cannot put myself into that kind of mindset. It's just something that would occur to me if I were planning something like that.

Why would teachers with guns deter kids who've already made up their mind to shoot up a school? Kids who shoot up schools don't come out alive..
Well, what kind of impact would you have if you wouldn't get very far before one of those sharpshooting Texan teachers rips you a new chocolate-maker? I'd say it would be a stronger deterrent than most. The idea is to cut off the decision process before it gets to the point where they start acquiring weapons and junk. Maybe make them pick something else, like just slashing their wrists for attention like normal people.

There will probably be a shootout between the kids and teachers. Or, maybe the kids will just unarm the teacher.