Comments on: TEACHERS & GUNS http://underthedome.org/2006/10/14/teachers-guns/ Politics * Economics * Business * History * People Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:38:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Kyle Tippetts http://underthedome.org/2006/10/14/teachers-guns/comment-page-1/#comment-318 Kyle Tippetts Sat, 21 Oct 2006 06:00:06 +0000 http://underthedome.org/?p=92#comment-318 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 <em>much</em> 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. 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.

]]> By: Rep. Curt Oda http://underthedome.org/2006/10/14/teachers-guns/comment-page-1/#comment-228 Rep. Curt Oda Sun, 15 Oct 2006 08:13:07 +0000 http://underthedome.org/?p=92#comment-228 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? 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?

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