Gun safety in schools, the new arms race

O’Bryant Antonio Muralles

oam9@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Following the recent school shooting in Parkland, Fla. and the March for Our Lives events this past weekend, gun control is a difficult subject to ignore. The discussion centers around safety. Some citizens hold guns responsible for the lack of safety nationwide in schools, while others attribute guns as the vehicles of increased safety in households.

This conversation came to San Marcos as a question: should K-12 teachers arm themselves with guns?

Clayton Taylor
Photo by O'Bryant Muralles

Native Clayton Taylor, a single father of a 4-year-old girl, has no problem with teachers at his daughter's preschool bringing guns to school as a precaution.

“I actually just enrolled my daughter in a private school and they asked me, ‘Are you going to be ok with teachers being armed? They’ve had training,'" said Taylor. "I’m cool with it."

However, knowing that the teachers at the school were armed with guns did not give him peace of mind. He said that the teachers only received a three-day training, and he would prefer them to go through extensive training so they don’t panic in the event of a shooting.

“I believe they should be out there with people shooting off blanks so they can get that feel of an actual combat,” said Clayton.

Gabriel Newton
Photo by O'Bryant Muralles

San Marcos High sophomore Gabriel Newton disagrees. He believes there should not be any guns in schools.

“I think a lot of minorities would be scared in class if they saw a teacher walk by with a gun on his or her hip,” said Newton.

With the recent frequency of school shootings, he doesn't feel that adding more guns to classrooms is the solution. 

“I think students would not want to come to school,” said Newton.

If it were up to him, Newton would have more security guards and a stronger police presence at the schools to stop the shootings. 

Not everyone agrees that adding more police will detour shooters from entering a school.

For Jacob Seabolt, a criminal justice student at Texas State University people should be arming and protecting themselves and not rely on the government.

Jacob Seabolt
Photo by Hallie Colbert and Angelica Cruz

“I don’t think there should be any gun control at all. I think people should be able to have any kind of gun that they want,” said Seabolt.

According to Seabolt, if there were a stronger police presence at schools, the police  would be limited to what they are ordered and therefore able to do, especiall in the Parkland case.

“The [Broward] Sheriff’s Office didn’t do enough to stop it," said Seabolt. "[They] gave the order for those guys not to go in.”

Some people, even those who grew up around guns, such as Jamie Bouzard, the Director of Christ Chapel of Texas State University, look to other countries’ laws on gun control as an example.

Jamie Bouzard
Photo by Shelley Keller

“Our gun laws are absolutely ridiculous," said Bouzard. "I am one who would much prefer the model adopted by Canada or Australia in which firearms are very, very strictly controlled.”

In 1996, after Australia had their worst mass-shooting, parliament enacted a ban on all rapid fire guns which caused a decline in gun related deaths, according to USA Today.

Texas State student, Alexa Browning, believe that small amendments can be taken to help start gun control reform.

“I think one of the most realistic steps we can take for gun control is raising the age of purchasing a gun to 21,” said Browning.  

Browning's  logic is that with the exception of teachers those people,most people at high schools, middle schools, or elementary schools are not over the age 21. Therefore an increase in the legal age of owning a gun would help stop the flow of guns into those places. This is especially true when remembering Columbine two shooters, Dylan and Eric, were both 18.

Alexa Browning
Photo by Rachel Lauten

Mental health is another commonly cited factor in school shootings. Elementary school principal Hannah Mose Harvey pointed out that that many people she works with do not have the mental ability to properly handle a gun in a tense situation.

“I’ve been in situations where teachers that I’ve dealt with throughout my year that had a [mental] breakdown,” said Harvey.

Hannah Mose Harvey
Photo courtesy of Houston ISD

As the March for our lives events have demonstrated, gun control is an issue that will not be leaving the public eye soon.

For more information you can visit The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence or the NRA website.

Increasing school security: San Marcos residents believe strongly in protecting schools

By Madison Diaz
madisondiaz12@gmail.com

SAN MARCOS, Texas — With the influx of school shooting threats happening in the United States, many residents of San Marcos felt that school security should be increased, whether they agreed with arming teachers or not.

The Parkland, Florida shooting took place over a month ago in what would be remembered as one of the top 10 deadliest mass shooting in modern history. All over the nation, people have responded to this tragedy and have looked for a solution that will make parents, students and citizens feel more comfortable about school safety.

Jamie Bouzard
Taken by: Shelley Keller

In San Marcos, many residents had strong opinions about arming teachers K-12 and offered alternative solutions. These solutions mirror what seven in 10 Americans believe in the wake of Parkland shooting. Most San Marcos citizens agreed increasing security would make schools much safer and aide in the protection of children in the event of another possible shooting.

Jamie Bouzard, Director of Christ Chapel at Texas State University, was nationally ranked for some time on the rifle team in his adolescent years. He said decent security procedures at school would be more beneficial as teachers have enough on their plate without adding extra responsibilities.

“That is the dumbest damn idea that I’ve ever heard,” Bouzard said. “Let trained professionals handle that kind of work.”

Gabriel Newton
Taken by: O'Bryant Muralles

Gabriel Newton, a sophomore at San Marcos High School, was also familiar with guns as he has shot a few rounds in the past. He said he likes guns, but he doesn’t support them being everywhere and said arming teachers wouldn’t be a good idea because minorities are more likely be afraid of coming to school.

“I think a lot of minorities would be scared in class if they saw a teacher walk by with a gun on his or her hip,” Newton said. “I would be a little nervous, and I think students would not want to come to school… just put more cops on campus.”

Jennifer Lones
Taken by: Brianna Fisher

Jennifer Lones, general studies major and mother of two, said guns in her children’s school would make her feel anxious because one can never know someone’s mental state. For increasing safety in schools, Lones said more security or police officers with metal detectors at every entry point would be beneficial.

“I believe there are many measures that can be taken,” Lones said. “Sadly, the measures make it to where our schools resemble prisons rather than a happy, carefree place.”

Casey Sigerman
Taken by: Casey Sigerman

Casey Sigerman, a high school English teacher, said arming teachers would be the worst idea ever. She said there have already been accidents where armed teachers have been allowed, including the gun-trained teacher in California who accidentally injured a student. Sigerman said increasing security at school would be a better option and make everyone more comfortable.

“Metal detectors and more security guards and things like that,” Sigerman said. “I don’t know if it would help if something was ongoing, but it might prevent people from attempting.”

Morgan Glenn
Taken by: Shelley Keller

According to Pew Research, opinions for or against arming teachers is roughly equal nationally. Although some residents thought arming teachers would be a bad idea, others agreed it could be helpful along with increasing security on school campuses. They believe arming teachers could protect future children in another possible attack.

Morgan Glenn, a communication disorders major, grew up around guns and is familiar with them. She said arming teachers could be beneficial because they would be able to protect children in a future shooting event. For teachers to be armed, Glenn said there should be extra training and drills involved.

“I think there should be more protective drills,” Glenn said. “I feel like it should be included in their seminars and continuing education they already do.”

Jacob Seabolt
Taken by: Hallie Colbert and Angelina Cruz

Jacob Seabolt, criminal justice major, said there shouldn’t be any gun control at all. He said if teachers want to walk around with any gun they want, they should.

“It’s a second amendment right and it’s the government intrusion to make any rule otherwise,” Seabolt said.

Becky Dragseth
Taken by: Ben Planton and Prince Imo

Becky Dragseth, a business major, is concerned for the schools’ ability to keep students safe. She said arming teachers would be a good idea as long as precautions are taken.

“There definitely needs to be extensive training to every person in the school that will be armed,” Dragseth said. “If anybody is in charge of children, whether that be a babysitter, a teacher or sending a kid to a friend’s house; those people should be able to protect those children. I believe that it is an adult’s job to protect children in any situation.”

Gun violence becoming a nationwide issue, locals weigh-in on school security

By Corey Hammonds

Katie Johnston Photo by: Corey Hammonds

cnh83@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas — In wake of an increasing number of mass school shootings, President Trump is advocating that teachers, K-12, voluntarily carry firearms for future school safety.

According to ABC15, in the year of 2017 there had been 65 recorded school shootings. As of this year, there has already been over two dozen school shootings across the nation.

Teachers being allowed to open carry on school grounds is first up to the state and then up to the school board, if they want to implement this policy.

Katie Johnston, a public administration major at Texas State, said that the parents should be the one that gets to decide if the teachers should be armed or not.

“In the state of Texas we get our money for public education through property taxes. I definitely think that the parents are going to end up paying for it. That’s why I think the parents should have the choice because they are the ones who are going to have to pay for it,” said Johnston.

Chloe Butler Photo by: Corey Hammonds

Rick Willet Photo by: Brianna Fisher

Many future teachers have spoken out about their concern on handling guns around their students.

Chloe Butler, future educator, said how she thinks we can implement ex-military, veterans or local volunteers for an alternative to school safety.

“Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't want to do that if I was in that situation [firing a gun,] but I don't want to be the one held responsible to have to protect everyone with a gun. I don't know if I could step up to the plate in that situation and be successful,” said Butler.

Rick Willet, a parent and a student here at the university, said that he believes in the second amendment and that it also protects all the other amendments. In regards to the topic of teachers being armed on campus, Willet believes the teacher has to want to have a firearm in order to be effective.

“The teacher has to want too, because the person who doesn’t want to is not going to be effective or they aren’t going to take care of the store of the fire arms and keep it from getting into the kids hands,” said Willet.

Raising the purchasing age for a firearm became a trend in responses from Texas State students and staff. The age to purchase a gun being raised to 21-years-old seemed to be reasonable for both party sides.

Jaime Bouzard, a 40-year-old chaplain, said there are several alternatives other than arming teachers around students.

Jaime Bouzard Photo by:Shelley Keller

“Among them are sensible gun control policies in this country. Better mental healthcare programming and therefore funding in this country and certainly alert security procedures at various campuses,” said Bouzard.


March For Our Lives, was a march that was led by students across the country on March 24. The march aimed to enforce stricter gun laws in the United States, protestors said.

Garret Hanson, student at Texas State, said that every teacher has a right to practice their second amendment. Hanson is a gun owner who believes everyone should have at least one gun.

“It’s fine [gun ownership] as it’s done through the legal like process, background checks, making sure that the person you’re buying it from is just as responsible as the person that you’re selling it to. Accountability has to come down to that,” said Hanson.

Garret Hanson Photo by: Rachel Lauten and Sierra Tyler

Future teachers have spoken out about their concern for their field of work. School shootings have always been around, but the percentage is rising at an accelerated rate.

Leela Rao, future educator, is an advocate against guns in the school environment. Rao said that where she teaches is going to be based off on whether the school district allows open carry in her school or not.

“When I started college three years ago, it was not remotely a thought of ‘Oh I’m going to be a teacher, like that’s a dangerous profession,’ but unfortunately, that’s kind of the reality now. I’m confident that I’ll teach somewhere that aligns with what I believe in,” said Rao.

Leela Rao Photo by: Melissa Monrroy and Camelia Juraez

Mass school shootings are rising across the country and there is a constant debate on how to take action effectively.  Each state has their own set of laws, but to come aware of gun laws in each state visit the NRA-ILA website.

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.

San Marcos responds to American gun laws

By: Zach Smith - zjs22@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas -- The shooting that occurred at a Parkland, Florida high school has started a national debate about guns and arming teachers K-12. There are many different ideas that have been proposed to protect students such as building safe rooms in classrooms to arming teachers in the classroom.

According to CNN, seven out of 10 people currently believe that there should be stricter gun laws made in the United States. This could look something like raising the minimum age to buy a gun to 21.

Chloe Butler - Photo by Corey Hammonds

Chloe Butler, who is a special education major at Texas State, believes that arming teachers may be a possible solution.

“Personally, my thoughts about guns in schools is that they could possibly be a good alternative for protection for students and faculty, so they can be safe. I think there is a

lot of questions and laws that go into that and it could be very difficult and touchy subject,” said Butler.

Garret Hanson Photo by Rachel Lauten and Sierra Tyler

Garret Hanson, a finance major at Texas State, had a similar point of view only that he believed that it should just be seen as teachers being able to carry guns they personally prepared themselves with.

“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 CHL does. The only difference is that right now teachers aren’t allowed to carry a gun on campus and some places they are,” said Hanson.

Jackie Aguilar - Photo by Zach Smith

Not everyone on campus agrees with this point of view when it comes to arming teachers in school. One student, Jackie Aguilar, is planning to be a teacher herself and had a different perspective to share.

“I think it’s a vast problem, and of course I'm not for guns, it’s such a mess with politics and everything that people are going to be like, yah ban them. I don't know. You've heard that in Australia they had one mass shooting and they band guns and it hasn't happened again. You'd think that common sense would be to have strict gun laws but…” said Aguilar.

Dr. Donald S. Inbody - Photo by Sarah Atterbury

Dr. Donald S. Inbody, a professor at Texas State, spent 28 years in the navy and was able to share his thoughts. He broadened the problem to more than just school, but all of the United States.

“I think they’re going to have to, one, harden the schools. That’s expensive and it’s sad that we have to do that. Two, I think we just have to be more aware of the kind of individuals who might be inclined to do this and pay attention to them. I’m not convinced that the effort to control the sale of certain types of guns is going to fix the problem. I do think we have fundamentally an anger problem with young, white males,” said Inbody.

Gabriel Newton - Photo by O’Bryant Muralles

Outside of the university setting, students of all ages are talking about this issue. One high school sophomore, Gabriel Newton, shared his perspective on how to solve this issue.

“I think a lot of minorities would be scared in class if they saw a teacher walk by with a gun on his or her hip. If I was minority and I see all this stuff on the news and I see a teacher with a gun on their hip, I would be a little nervous and I think students would not want to come to school. I just think that, if they really want to do something about it, just put more cops on campus,” said Newton.