Arming kindergarten through 12th grade teachers debate offers a spectrum of solutions

cyj6@txstate.edu

By Camelia Juarez

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Parkland shooting survivors have led nationwide campaign for more gun control, but pro-gun advocates recommend arming kindergarten through 12^th grade teachers.

Everyone has different opinions on how to keep students safe and prevent another Parkland mass school shooting. President Trump said using federal money to train teachers would be a more effective alternative than waiting for law enforcement. According to CNN, states across the country have been arming and training teachers making students feel safer when done correct.

On the opposite side of the argument, teachers have expressed that schools should be given more federal money for school supplies rather than gun training by spreading the hashtag #ArmMeWith. Other arguments include using federal money to hire more law enforcement or security guards, rather than arming teachers with other responsibilities, for student protection.

According to The Washington Post, the cost of training all teachers, based on a $100 course in Maryland, would cost $71.8 million dollars.  The cost effective alternative is encouraging veterans or off duty police to volunteer and monitor schools.

High school student, Nyssa Norman, said she is against arming teachers because it would increase unsafe tensions in classrooms.

Nyssa Norman

Photo by: Hallie Colbert 

“I feel like it will make more students have anxiety towards school, because honestly the thought scares me. I wouldn’t feel safe at all,” said Norman.

Hannah Mose Harvey

Photo melissa monrroy

Elementary school principal, Hannah Harvey, owns a gun, but is against arming teachers after experiencing upset faculty or parents. Harvey said short tempered adults should not have the option of a gun within reach.

“I’ve seen things get heated before to where I had to step in and say ‘We’re going to end this conference. I’m going to ask that you please leave the room,’ and I’ve had to actually tell parents sometimes, ‘If you cannot follow those rules, going to have to contact the police and have you escorted off this campus.’ …You have someone that is unstable carrying a gun and anything can happen,” said Harvey.

Jamie Bouzard

Photo by: Rachel Lauten

Director of Christ Chapel at Texas State University, Jamie Bouzard, is familiar with firearms after being on a firing team in high school, but currently owns no guns. Bouzard said high trained security in schools, but is against arming teachers because he believes public concern is not aligned with reality.

“In this state alone, there are tens of thousands of schools and that nationally the percentage of schools harmed by gun violence is very, very small. The reaction needs to be proportionate to the problem,” said Bouzard.

Public works administration major at Texas State, Katie Johnston, was raised around responsible gun owners such has her dad and uncles. Johnston said arming teachers would be good as long as it was a well monitored movement.

“I would support it if it was regulated and it was overlooked and they had to go through mental health evaluations, proper training on how to use a gun. If it's more regulated, than I think it's fine. I would feel safer,” said Johnston.

Morgan Glenn

Photoby: Shelley Kellar, 

Communication disorders major at Texas State, Morgan Glenn, has been raised around guns owned by her father and brothers. Glenn herself owns a shotgun for hunting purposes. Glenn said she supports arming teachers if they follow standard conceal carry license procedures and school districts implement more protective drills.

“I think the Kevlar mats were a good protection for them and the schools should have that and those kind of training seminars,” said Glenn.

Jacob Seabolt

Photo by: Hallie Colbert

Criminal Justice major at Texas State, Jacob Seabolt, doesn’t believe there should be any gun control. Seabolt believes adults, including teachers, should have the right to carry guns at school and believes it will deter gunman.

“I think if you just take off the signs that say ‘gun free zone’ and you let people just have freedom I think they can take care of their own problems. For instance, you never see a police station be shot up,” said Seabolt.