Texas community talks about arming teachers

By: Angelica Cruz-Rodriguez

aac125@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas – In the recent events of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, President Trump has publically embraced the idea of arming teachers K-12 as a solution to gun violence in schools. The reaction to this has had mixed views.

Becky Joelle Dragseth
Photo by:Ben Blanton

In a study done by PEW Research, 55 percent of all adults that took the survey were against arming teachers and 45 percent of all adults were for arming teachers.

Becky Joelle Dragseth, a Texas State University student, thinks it is a good idea to arm teachers as long as preventative measures are taken.

“They need to go through the same extensive tests that people go through to buy guns,” said Dragseth. “There definitely needs to be extensive training to every person in the school that will be armed.” 

Caleb Coleman
Photo by: Hallie Colbert

There are other students like Caleb Coleman, a freshman at Texas State, who said arming teachers could help students feel safer, as long as the armed teacher is trained.

“I think it would be great if teachers trained on how to shoot and stuff but if the teacher is uneducated on how to use a weapon then I think it’s kind of pointless in my opinion,” said Coleman.

Brittany Matt
Photo by: Zach Smith

Brittany Matt, a communications disorders major at Texas State, said qualified and certified faculty could give a better outcome during school shootings.

“I think faculty with specific qualifications and certifications to conceal carry firearms on school grounds could produce a better turn of events in a school shooting,” said Matt. "This being a touchy subject of debate, I think it is worth it as an attempt for safety."

Dr. Donald S. Inbody
Photo by: Sarah Atterburry

There are others who disagree with arming teachers because they lack training. Dr. Donald S. Inbody, a senior lecturer at Texas State, said it is a bad idea to arm teachers because they are not well trained.

 “I have no fundamental problem against people carrying concealed weapons, I just don’t think it’s a good idea to use it in that environment for that group of people because they aren’t trained to use it under a stressful circumstance,” said Inbody.

Nyssa Norman
Photo by: Hallie Colbert

High school student, Nyssa Norman also thinks teachers should not be armed; she said it would not be smart to put a gun in a child’s environment.

“A six-year-old should never have to go to a place where a gun exists in the room. What if the teacher doesn’t lock it up and the kids get to it?” said Norman.  “Why would you put more guns in schools when you don’t want guns in schools?”

Leela Rao
Photo by: Melissa Monrroy

Leela Rao, a Texas State student and future educator said she is not prepared for a situation involving a gunman.

“Me personally being a student teacher, I know the basis but I know it’s really scary knowing that this is something that can happen in a school and that it’s happening so frequently,” said Rao. “My personal philosophy is that the less guns the better, so I’m all for gun control. I know the argument right now is arming teachers and I’m very against that.”