Texas State University opinions on arming teachers

By Sarah Atterbury

S_a334@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas­­ — The Parkland shooting has caused a national controversy on whether arming K-12 teachers would make schools safer.

Some people are proposing that arming K-12 teachers would help protect students while others believe there should be better monitoring of students’ mental health to catch the signs before it happens.

Texas State students and faculty members voice opposing opinion on whether K-12 teachers should be able to carry guns.

Micah Calton

Photo by Prince Imo

Micah Calton, a 21-year-old Texas State student majoring in healthcare administration, is against the idea of arming teachers.

“That’s repulsive to even imagine! No one but the military should legally be able to be armed,” said Calton. “The only place on earth I think you should find a weapon such as a firearm should be in combat, during war, nowhere else. Guns are for emergency protection and used to execute death, they’re grossly dangerous and should not be allowed anywhere in society.”

Adrian Gonzalez

Photo by Ben Balton

Adrian Gonzalez, a 21-year-old Texas State student majoring in concrete industry management, said only teachers with experience should be able to be armed.

“If we’re talking about every teacher then I say no, but if we’re talking about specific teachers who’ve had a past with firearms in a positive manner who we believe can protect children than yes they should,” said Gonzalez.

Becky Dragseth

Photo by Ben Balton

Becky Joelle Dragseth, a 20-year-old Texas State student majoring in business, is concerned about how well schools are keeping safe. Dragseth said with precautions taken arming teachers is a good idea.

"There needs to be change,” said Dragseth. “There definitely needs to be extensive training to every person in the school that will be armed.” 

Dr. Donald Inbody

Photo by Sarah Atterbury

Dr. Donald Inbody, a senior lecturer for Political Science, has had training with guns and said arming teachers would be hard to pull off.

“Well, fundamentally I think it’s a bad idea because they are not well trained using firearms,” said Inbody. “I spent 28 years in the Navy, I know what it takes to use a weapon correctly, safely and under a high-stress situation and I don’t think the average elementary and secondary school teacher has the training necessary to use it safely and accurately and well. 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.”

Jackie Aguilar

By Zach Smith

Jackie Aguilar, a student at Texas State majoring in education, is pursuing to be a future teacher and has never used or owned a gun. Aguilar was unsure of a solution when asked about a solution to gun violence in schools.

“I have no idea honestly. I think it’s like a vast problem, and of course I'm not for guns, it’s such a mess with politics,” said Aguilar. “You've heard that in Australia they have one mass shooting and they banned guns and it hasn't happened again. You'd think that common sense would be to have strict gun laws.”

Garrett Buss

Photo by Madison Diaz

Garrett Buss, a 20-year-old Texas State student majoring in theatre, has been around a lot of guns growing up due to his dad owning several but has never owned one for himself. Aguilar, when asked about arming teachers, disagreed with that proposal.

“I think that’s ridiculous. That’s so silly.” said Buss. “So many times, specifically like the hell teachers in middle school have to deal with, if they had a gun, I think that would change the dynamic.”

For more information on school safety, visit National School Safety and Security Services online to be a part of the opinion.