By Adrian Pascua
By Adrian Pascua
Think of a teacher you hate, now give them a gun.
Due to recent school shootings in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, it has been proposed that teachers start being trained to carry concealed firearms.
Wisconsin State Representative Frank Lasee has suggested that the legislation would provide personnel with a “last line of defense.” Despite criticism, Lasee has no regret in advocating the legislation.
Still, this proposal was controversial enough to have a write-in candidate run for office. Who is to be the opposition? Manitowoc County Supervisor Robert Dobbs has presented himself as Lasee’s main critic.
Dobbs already has found those who are willing to endorse him in his run against Lasee. Manitowoc County Sheriff Ken Peterson and former Wisconsin Secretary of State Vel Phillips already have signed on to endorse Dobbs in his campaign.
Dobbs suggested that, instead of guns, the schools could add building security and make an increase in police presence. He added that Lasee’s proposal is “over the top.” The measure is so extreme that it shouldn’t even make it to the House floor. You can’t make it safer in a school by loading it with guns.
Assuring the safety of the proposition, Lasee’s spokesman, Luke Hilgemann told the AFP on Thursday that all staff and personnel will have to pass a background check before they are allowed to even consider carrying a gun. When the staff are approved after the background check, they will be begin “extensive training” on how to use their weapon.
The biggest problem with this proposal is that it doesn’t address the issue of what happens if a student gets hold of one these firearms. I would like to think it would be much safer to remove guns from campus completely than to start arming the faculty.
If anything, students who feel that they are misunderstood or suicidal would look for ways to get to the teachers’ guns. Students in California actually should be afraid of the dangers this proposal might bring. Cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino and all other cities with major gang violence should be worried, especially when gang members could be coming to schools looking for guns.
This proposal poses a danger to students as well as teachers. It puts teachers in the crosshairs and sends students to a school where they might fear being shot for making a wrong move. A school should make a student feel safe and welcome.
The message that the students will get from this is that the teachers can’t trust them, and vice versa. I don’t know about you, but I would find it hard to talk to someone about my problems, knowing that he or she is carrying a gun.
When teachers start carrying guns to school, I will seriously fear for the future.
