Would teachers pull guns on students?
By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune
The news: The board of directors of a small school district in Texas has decided to give teachers permission to bring guns to school for protection, and the governor of Texas has given the idea his stamp of approval.
Gov. Rick Perry says he supports the Harrold school district policy to allow teachers and staff members to carry guns at school as long as they are adequately trained in gun safety.
“I’m pretty much a fan that if you’ve been trained and you are registered, then you should be able to carry a weapon. Matter of fact, there’s a lot of instances that would have saved a lot of lives,” Perry told the Austin Statesman.
The reaction: Perry is pretty much right. “Pretty much” is the key phrase, though, because you can’t compel some gun owners to be trained any more than you can compel some car owners to learn to drive and carry auto insurance.
Still, let’s assume the teachers and staff members of the Harrold school district all are trained in the use of firearms, with an emphasis on safety, and that they start bringing guns to class strapped on their hips — open carry.
If that were to happen, you would see student discipline problems plummet. Teachers would have a new air of authority, and most of the students would take notice.
Many students also might feel safer, protected against other students or outsiders who bring weapons such as knives and perhaps even guns to school.
Would teachers be tempted to pull their guns on unruly students, and maybe even pull the trigger? If they’re properly trained, they probably wouldn’t have to. But you can expect a lawsuit to keep it from happening any time soon.
