Arming teacher’s kindergarten through 12th grade becomes a hot topic

Edited by Melissa Monrroy

By Melissa Monrroy

Mam700@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas— After the Parkland mass shooting took 17 lives, the discussion about gun control has been the main topic in the news. Citizens are debating about steps toward safer schools.

In response to the Parkland mass school shooting, survivors and activists have been taking charge in the Marchfor Our Lives campaign while teachers have created a social media campaign called #ArmMeWith. According to TheNew York Times, President Trump wants a strong universal background check bill created as well as the minimum age to buy rifles raised from 18 years-old to 21 years-old.

Nyssa Norman
Photo Credit: Hallie Colbert

High school student, Nyssa Norman, said her fear of arming teachers because some students may have mental health issues and having a gun in the class room is problematic.

“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. It would make me feel more endangered because some students aren’t mentally stable,” said Norman.

Casey Sigerman
Photo Credit: Casey Sigerman

High school English teacher, Casey Sigerman, said she doesn’t own a gun and believes that arming teachers puts a responsibility on them that should never have.

“Literally the worst idea ever. Unless you have specific training for combat, I don’t think it would really help you. I’ve talked to other teachers as well who have military backgrounds and have training in those types of situations, and they all say that is one of the worst things you could do,” said Sigerman.

Jacob Seabolt
Photo Credit: Hallie Colbert and Angelica Cruz

Senior studying criminal justice, Jacob Seabolt, said there shouldn’t be gun control and believes the learning environment wouldn’t be affected if teachers were armed.

“I think any adult should be able to walk around with any with any gun with they want to. So if a teacher chooses to they should be able to without any kind of rule stopping them,” said Seabolt.

Garret Hanson
Photo Credit: Rachel Lauten and Sierra Tyler

Sophomore studying finance, Garrent Hanson, is a gun owner and said as long as campus police or administrators have the proper training then they should be armed.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with teachers being armed, I think it has to do with just them practicing their rights and the second amendment like everyone else that already has the Concealed Handgun License does,” said Hanson.

Although there are many opinions about whether teacher’s kindergarten through 12^th grade should be armed, there are also other alternatives than gun control. Instead of using money to arm teachers, citizens are thinking to spend the money on bullet proof windows and better security systems.  

Hannah Mose Harvey
Photo Credit: James H. Law Elementary

Elementary School Principal, Hannah Mose Harvey, said she owns a gun but strongly believes that a teacher should not be armed. Some alternatives Harvey said she would like is more cameras, updated technology and secured doors in order for it to make it difficult for an intruder to get since a lot of the systems at her campus is outdated.

“Instead of using money that the government is purposing to find ways to have teachers get their gun license and training, they need to up the money on security as far as cameras. I’m sick of the fact of you’re only given a certain amount of cameras because ‘that’s all we can afford’ or ‘because you’re an elementary campus, you only get six cameras’,” said Harvey.

Leela Rao
Photo Credit: Leela Rao

Junior studying special education and Spanish, Leela Rao, said the “Insteadof walk out, walk up” movement could be a possible alternative solution. Rao said despite various opinions about the movement, it should be a priority from day one to create a loving and inclusive community in a classroom.

“A lot of people are saying instead of walking out for gun control, you should walk up to students that are feeling out. So creating that togetherness is a way to come at it,” said Rao.

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