Firearms and Learning
Educators and Parents Share Their Thoughts About Arming Teachers
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Karen Gross, Esq.
 @KarenGrossEdu
I find it hard to believe that in our supposed civilized nation we want to arm teachers with weapons instead of knowledge. Please, can we keep weapons out of the hands of those civilians not fighting wars or hunting?
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Dr. Michael Woods
 @MichaelWoodsDBA
I love the idea as long as the teacher has a Concealed Handgun License (CHL). This has been talked about several years in Texas especially in rural areas because it would take several minutes for police to arrive. I am prepared for my house or classroom.
If parents feel safe with teachers, principals, librarians and counselors than they should be comfortable with them caring concealed safety equipment. In Texas, 21 year olds can carry concealed guns to school at junior colleges and universities in Texas but professors like myself can not who is also licensed because I am an employee. Sandy Hook opened my eyes that they will keep coming school and churches until they know someone is armed and more than 1 or 2. Thank you, sir, for your time. |
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Mr. and Mrs. J
 @MrMrsJ
I recently read a post: Would you want to be an African American teacher, armed with a gun, (protection) when Police/SWAT come into a classroom? Uhhmmm... ...?
If Teachers are equipped with what is needed to TEACH, do they really need to take time to be correction officers, too? While they are TEACHING OUR CHILDREN? |
Dr. James Croft
 @JFLCroft
I think it's an appalling and disgraceful idea. The answer to gun violence is not more guns, but less. We have to challenge the idea that a person has a "right" to own and carry a firearm.
The only way to get a grip on the extreme gun violence in the USA is to gradually reduce the number of guns until there are hardly any left. |
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Le'Jon :+?
 @metalalien
I believe it will be a new dangerous problem. Let's get better security for the schools let the teachers teach. peace and love to you Always
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Dr. Marcus Jackson
 @DrMarcusJackson
It's sickening that arming principals and teachers walking with guns is even a topic. As a principal, we barely have room for our walkie-talkie, IPad, laptop, or cell phone.
The mere fact that this is even a discussion is pathetic. It's said that this is what's trending now in education. The world is laughing at us. |
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Susann Williams
As a nineteen-year veteran educator, there are a few thoughts that come to mind concerning arming teachers with guns. First, I agree with the widely circulated sentiment that teachers already have so many classroom responsibilities that adding even one more-especially one this enormous seems unthinkable, irresponsible, and frankly a bit ignorant (of the people recommending it).
Second, teachers don't have time in their schedule to add something of this magnitude. Many people complain about all that educators are not doing, but if they knew what actually takes place in a day-in addition to teaching students-perhaps they might not be so judgmental. Teachers have papers to grade, grades to record, tests to proctor (throughout the year because now MANY practice tests are required to prepare for the ACTUAL test administered by the state), data to record, meetings to attend, hall duty, bus duty, recommendation letters to write, observations to prepare for, lesson plans to write, students to counsel, and after all of that--teach. Third, most of the teachers I know (even gun advocates) don't relish the idea of bringing that part of life into the classroom. Almost universally teachers have a particular spirit that seems to want to protect children in a way that is different than by using a gun. This is shown by the unfortunate stories we've heard over the years of teachers placing themselves in harm's way to protect their students. I only know of two teachers that I worked with who would volunteer to be responsible for having a gun in the classroom. This begs another question: What if an intruder came into the school and the teacher designated to have the gun "in a locked cabinet" (in their classroom) was somewhere else? How then does that teacher get back there quickly and undetected? As I have moved I have worked in several school situations. Some were in the middle of rampant gang activity, and only one was in an affluent area. I was in that school watching the news with a few students when breaking news came on about Columbine. What we've learned over the years is that the socioeconomic distinction of a particular school makes no difference to someone who wants to harm others. My point here is that teachers just want to teach. That's it. They just want to teach. |
Dr. Stephen Peters
 @stephengpeters
Those suggesting arming teachers have very little to no awareness of how teachers and schools operate. Teachers already have their hands full raising and educating today’s generation in addition to battling the mental health crisis that comes through the doors of our schools and classrooms daily. Decision makers should spend some time in schools before making suggestions that could ultimately cause more harm than good. Arming teachers is a really bad idea/suggestion for so many reasons. What we need are ENOUGH armed police/SRO officers assigned to each school.
Instead of arming our teachers with guns, we need to arm them with better pay, benefits and professional development. Ann Kelly, Esq.
It’s ridiculous in my opinion. Teachers are not trained to do so and the amount of training they will receive will not be enough. Not to mention, you will be at a disadvantage anyway because you will have a handgun and the shooter will most likely have an assault rifle. If anything, I can have a discussion about having policemen in the schools, but then our children will face the same kind of profiling we do when we drive, shop, etc. It all results in black and brown children more likely to be shot and killed in a classroom.
Ayize Sabater
 @AyizeS
It seems best to #ArmTeachersWith resources, support, and better pay than with guns. In fact, guns may increase chances of violence, divert already scarce resources and further burden time pressured teachers.
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Dr. Noelle Chaddock
 @BlackDeanMagic
I literally jam the copy machine. They have asked me to stop using it. Why would we assume that I would have the ability or aptitude to use a gun. I write books? The chances of an armed teacher, already anxious and hyper-vigilant BECAUSE they have been armed, shooting a student... especially a male teen... why would anyone think this was a good idea. No.
Ada Lopez
 @adalynnelopez
Maybe Aaron Feis with a gun would have provided better protection than the SRO. Teachers should NOT be required to carry guns but maybe the few who know what they are doing could be allowed to. We obviously can't count on the authorities to protect us or our children. It hurts my heart that those officers waited outside while our children died. There is no easy solution.
I don't think I would have felt comfortable carrying a gun in the classroom. I hate the idea of bringing guns into schools. When I first started thinking about the issue, I considered having trust in the SRO. Having an SRO in each school all the time like when I was in school. Then I read that there was an SRO and he didn't try to save the kids. Teachers don't bring guns to school now instead they shield our children with their body and die. If an ill-suited teacher carries a gun, that will also be a disaster. |
Walter Duncan
 @4_teachers
Heroes are defined by the selfless choices they make in a moment of great consequence. They come in all colors and from every creed.
A wealthy, but lonely man once snidely remarked that “those who can’t do, teach”. Educators not only “do”, but they “do” more. They answer the call to shape the next generation. They do not choose the common path of self-interest, paved with me first’s. They choose to serve. Why? Because it must be done, it's the right thing to do, they're the ones to do it and the children need caring educators the way sunflowers need sun. The relationship between teacher and student ancient and a key part of what makes us human. A very few number of educators are called to make the ultimate sacrifice, giving their life in exchange for the life of someone else's precious child. In answering that call in the affirmative, they reteach us all with uncompromising clarity, what the definition of a hero is. Rest.In.Power Coach Feis. May your name live on in the generations to come." Alexander Jackson, LCSW
Arming an educator with a gun is not the solution. This is a public health matter that requires a prevention and early intervention focus to help identify students in need of mental health services.
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Chandra Peay
 @Educator_P
I’m just a Christian Teacher that still believes in the power of prayer. Despite various tragedies that have occurred in our schools across the nation God is still faithful and a keeper. If you believe in the power of prayer join me for 10 minutes tomorrow morning on Facebook Live in prayer for protection over our schools, students, teachers, and staff. #ArmUsWithPrayer
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Dr. Cynthia A. Tyson
 @drmstyson
I have more of questions than comments, How many Black teachers will get killed carrying weapons in schools given the current climate of " fear for their lives" when confronted by unarmed Black people? How many White teachers shoot and kill Black students because they are in "fear for their lives" in disciplinary situations? How long will it take before the current situation of school violence will be "blamed" on teachers the same way teachers are "blamed" for low test scores that are also a reflection of the complex institutional challenges?
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Victor Kwansa
 @vakwansa
Standardized
Victor Kwansa Our country cannot afford To make sure schools are warm, But we want teachers to start packing heat. Our country cannot afford To give kids the latest textbooks, But we want teachers to have shiny, new guns that can make the Sun Blind to our Parklands and Sandy Hooks. Our country cannot afford To make sure all kids know how to read and write, But we want teachers And their stray bullets To come up with a new strategy For students to learn the letters “RIP.” Why do we Want to standardize Things that test The boundaries Of humanity? |
Dr. Michael Hart
 @drmichaelhart
Arming teachers is not the answer! It merely reflects (one more time) how disconnected Trump is from our world. Every single law enforcement agency in Tennessee is vehemently against guns in schools.
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