You would have to have been living in a cave without television access (or internet, for that matter) for the last twenty years to not realize that the issue of public shootings is in the forefront of many people’s minds. Part of this is because these events are horrible when they occur, and people fixate on the most horrible things that they find (which may explain the appeal of horror movies). Part of this is that the mainstream media keeps harping on mass shootings partly because people are fascinated and disturbed by them and partly because it helps to keep people living in fear, and fear gets people to do stupid things like vote for gun control.
Fortunately, though, in some areas, level heads are prevailing when it comes to policies to reduce mass shootings in places like schools. What are some of these policies? In Utah, those policies include allowing teachers and administrators to train for responding to active shooters with firearms. Morgan Smith writes,
Active shooter training for educators is becoming more common nationwide, and Utah is one of several states that generally allow permit holders to carry guns in public schools. Other states, including Florida and Texas, have programs that allow certain teachers to be armed if they are approved under a set of stipulations.
Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith said the popularity of concealed carry permits in Utah makes such trainings even more important. About half the teachers brought their own handguns to the shooting range.
“If teachers are going to be bringing firearms into schools, let’s make sure they know how to handle them safely,” Smith said.
At least 39 states require lockdown, active-shooter or similar safety drills, according to the Education Commission of the States. Other states have less explicit requirements or leave it to districts. Utah requires its elementary schools to conduct at least one safety drill each month, and its secondary schools to have detailed emergency response plans. The firearm training is voluntary, but the Utah County Sheriff’s Teachers Academy already has a waiting list for its next four-week program.
Now, if you’ve read this site for any amount of time, you know that the evidence shows that a trained law abiding person carrying a gun (a good “guy” with a gun, if you will) is what stops a would-be mass shooting from becoming a full-blown mass shooting. Armed people on the scene save lives.
So, with that in mind, ask yourself, “Would I rather my kids go to a school with a teacher trained to carry a firearm or to a school that is defenseless?” I know that I’ll take the first option every time.
This is finally one of the best things happening to stop, or at least, reduce the number of lives lost from
mass shootings at defenseless children in the school systems. Great decision by the State of Utah!!
Schools are chosen by shooters just because the shooters KNOW THERE’S NO ONE IN THE SCHOOL THAT CAN STOP, OR CHALLENGE THEM DUE TO THE SCHOOLS BRING GUN FREE.
Well no longer. IF a mass shooting IS attempted, I am sure the body count will be much less, or just a possible wound.
You have to understand where it is happening in the school, and how quickly they know what’s happening, and how quickly the nearest armed teacher can get there. BUT, IT WILL BE A LOT QUICKER THAN THE POLICE CAN GET THERE, (most response time to”shots fired” by police is 10 minutes minimum, unless an officer just HAPPENS to be in the area, close by, AND THE TEACHERS KNOW THE LAYOUT OF THE SCHOOL SO TIME WON’T BE WASTED TELLING THE POLICE HOW TO GET TO THE AREA, AND THE PLACES BEST TO GIVE THEM COVER.
THIS IS THE BEST MOVE ANY STATE HAS MADE.
The next mass shooting will probably be in an area where guns are banned.
WATCH AND SEE!!!!
The above things I mentioned above, are things most people don’t think about. They just think when a 911 call is placed, that a Cop is right up the street, and never think about having to have backup, they just can’t run in without knowing the layout of where to go and how to get there.
About the soonest a couple cops could get to the area where the shooting is happening, is at least 20 to 30 minutes from when it started.
ALSO, THE TEACHERS ARE ALREADY THERE, THEY KNOW EACH OTHER SO THEY KNOW WHO IS THE GOOD GUYS WITH THE GUNS, WHERE THE COPS WOULDN’T.
IN THAT 30 MINUTES WITHOUT THE ARMED TEACHERS, half the kids could be dead.
Think about it parents!!! Think about the time factor.
ALSO, WITH 5 OR 6 ARMED TEACHERS AGAINST 1 SHOOTER, HE HAS A 5 OR 6 TIMES GREATER CHANCE OF BEING SHOT AND KILLED.
Yes indeed, armed teachers with adequate training acting together against an intruding shooter is a great deterrent!
I have less use for teachers using firearms than I do other options. However, it depends on where the shooter lives. In urban areas where teachers live, adequate training is less than the rural teacher who already has adequate training and practice. Rural teachers in the mountain west have lots of shooting and practiice.
I agree with Teachers and or Administrators being armed even the custodian for that matter. But training, training, training it cant be said enough and not just once, there has to be continued training and qualifying. My main concern is where that gun is during the day. On his or her person, concealed? In a locked container? What would keep a student from over powering a teacher to get his or her gun? Obviously there may not be an issue with Elementary kids but Jr. High and High School, maybe. What is to keep a first responder from knowing your a Teacher, etc…, or the shooter? The shooter could be anyone. One more thing, learn more than basic first aid, how to stop severe bleeding, gun shot wounds, panic!
Excellent article. Very informative and it has helped solidify what I was already leaning in my thinking.
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