Oct 14
TEACHERS & GUNS
2006 at 9:53 pm | posted by Rep. Craig Frank 2 comments
** BEFORE YOU READ THIS POST–CLICK HERE! ** (The most eye-opening 42 seconds of your life–remember, I ran the “School Uniforms” legislation last session.)
Having been through CWP (Concealed-Weapons Permit) training and being one of 80,000 CWP holders in the State of Utah, I was a bit saddened to see the article in the D-News this morning about the lack of attendance by teachers at Clark Aposhian’s (pronounced Uh-PO-shan) FREE CWP firearms training class on Friday. Held specifically in conjunction with the UEA (Utah Education Association) “holiday,” it used to be called the “deer hunt,” the class was offered during this “off” time for public educators to enhance their knowledge of what has become a very serious and very real threat to students and teachers throughout our state and the nation.
What did excite me was ten more individuals, teachers have a better understanding (and probably a greater comfort level) of hand guns and Utah’s weapons laws than they had on Thursday. A little education never hurt anyone. BRAVO TO THE MEN & WOMEN WHO ATTENDED THIS FREE CLINIC.
Now, I’ve only been to one CWP training class and Clark Aposhian was the instructor, and I can tell you the teachers in attendance at this class spent their valuable “off” hours receiving an education they’ll remember the rest of their lives. I was so impressed with Mr. Aposhian’s calm and matter-of-fact demeanor, I’ve encouraged several acquaintances to seek training or further training from him.
On KNRS 570 Radio the other morning, I listened to a discussion between the host Bob Lonsberry and AG Mark Shurtleff. Bob and Mark discussed the pros and cons of ”deputizing” teachers in the classroom. The general feel of the conversation was that the state would be looking into this cutting-edge proposal to understand more of the concequences, and unintended consequences, of the Officer/Teacher position in our public school classrooms. It sounds like an interesting idea–a half dozen, or so, “resource officers” right there in the classroom–armed. No longer would someone have to run off campus to secure a weapon for firstline defense (certainly the outcome of such a strategy is a “too late” scenario). No longer would students’ and teachers’ lives be momentarally comprimised while waiting for full-time law enforcement officers to arrive at a potentially critical “situation.” The Deputy/Teachers are there, right there, in the classroom, and if not in the classroom, two doors down. What an interesting idea!
The State Board of Education, the AG’s Office, the Legislature, and local Public Education Administrators & Teachers need to investigate the possibility, and the feasibility, of arming well-trained, law-abiding citizens, teachers (and administrators) in our public school classrooms–Let’s Do It For The Children!
October 15th, 2006 at 8:13 am
I got there a bit late and Clark was on the range with the teachers and several media stations. The teachers I spoke to were very interested and impressed with the instruction.
The issue of making teachers into a police officer is not something we need or want to do. As outlined by Dr. Jon Lott, Jr., criminals are dumb but not stupid. They will migrate to places they are least likely to be confronted by armed defenders. The simple knowledge that there is a high probability of armed defenders would normally deter an assailant.
At this weekend’s UEA convention, Susan Kuziak make a statement that, “We’ve always resisted the idea of arming school employees. Though the intentions may be good, ultimately, the potential for harm is too great.” She also states, “The knee-jerk reaction is, ‘Let’s scare the bad guys off,’ but people who have committed these acts are not stable and normal in their thinking.”
Well, DUH!!! Her comment is purely emotional, without logic and contradictory in itself. Who or what is more dangerous? Law abiding armed citizens or an unstable assailant? We do not know what would have happened at any of those school shootings had there been a legally armed teacher, staff member or parent. We do, however, know in absolute certainty what happens when there is not! Utah is one of two states that allows permit holders to enter a school premises. None of the shootings were in these two states and every one of those shooters broke existing law. Obviously, gun bans in schools don’t work.
Those teachers who are nervous about having guns are fearful out of complete ignorance. This type of fear is dangerous. Fear from knowledge and understanding makes for safety. A handful of teacher’s at the UEA convention said that the idea of guns in schools, even when toted by trusted colleagues, makes them nervous, that a kid could take the gun away from them.
Well, that is what training is all about! We do NOT want teachers to be SWAT officers. The entire issue is for “Defense”, not offense. We do NOT want them stalking the halls to pursue the assailant. Teachers need to be given defensive tactical training.
Mr. Aposhian already has a training program developed and has so for a few years, with the intention of dove-tailing with the Safe Schools Program. Yet, none of the law enforcement agencies or school districts would even entertain or discuss the thought of working with him. Remember, his wife is a teacher so he has a vested interest in school safety.
Where do we go from here? It is only logical to go in the direction of logic and trust our teachers with guns. Don’t we already trust them with our childrens’ brains?
October 20th, 2006 at 11:00 pm
This is an idea that needs to be seriously considered. Teachers can and should be trained and armed. The argument that we shouldn’t do this because we’re afraid they’ll get their weapons nicked by a student is like saying that law enforcement shouldn’t be armed either because they might get their weapons nicked by a criminal (yes, that does happen on the odd occasion, but we don’t ban law enforcement from carrying weapons….)
Further, if the kooks that do these school shootings know that schools are protected in this manner, they are much less likely to enter those schools.
And further, the schools that should be fearful are the ones that publicize that they’re ‘gun free’ zones….
It’s time to face the brutal facts of the crazy society we’re a part of, and take the logical and necessary steps to protect our children while they’re at school.