...Eliminate the GFZ statute and let adults decide for themselves.
I somewhat agree. However many teachers are capable of handling weapons, and almost all could be trained. I have two DIL's that are elementary teachers. Both have their LTCH. One would put most of the shooters on this site to shame with either hanguns, rifles, and stay with many in skeet. She has her own Benelli shotgun (12 ga) and AK-47. Regularly shoot a .357 and has shot a friends S&W 500 Magnum handgun. She has shot my LR 308 and several of my other guns. The other DIL, although has some experience firing 22 cal AR's and 9mm handguns, probably would be less suited, but either would defend students to the death. My wife (who graduated high school in 1960, remembers a teacher that always had a handgun in a locked desk at school. I remember several who showed guns in the parking lot during hunting season, (and looked at the students hunting guns). It was normal during hunting season to see rifles / shotguns on a rack in the windows of pickups in our school parking lot. The major advantage of arming teachers or other currently employed school personnel is that many of the school districts are currently running short on funds, and hiring a "guard" would either displace a teacher or short some crucial equipment. Teachers or other personnel should have the Option, I agree. A small addition should also be made to their pay to warrant the "hassle". I certainly don't see it as ANY issue concerning their teaching duties. Those of us that carry (at least I don't) don't see any effect on the things I am doing. In fact I would hesitate if you asked me if I was carrying as I normally don't think of it at all. The only time I do is when I see a possible threat, then it becomes a real interest. As far as training, sure some would/should need training, mostly for marksmanship and gun handling. BUT remember WE are carrying every day in crowded malls, parks and areas with children around us all the time, as are almost all persons with a LTCH. A lot of the "Training" issue is liberal CRAP, kind of like saying a man with a butcher knife or a ball bat is dangerous to children unless he receives "TRAINING". In reality, as some have already stated, the arming of personnel in schools is a "deterrent", and in 99.99% of the schools no teacher/guard etc. will ever use a weapon. This is conservative as there are nearly 100,000 schools and very few incidents where an actual firing of a weapon would be justified. This would be even lower if the arming is found to be an effective deterrent.I don't think that many teachers possess the mindset necessary to wield a firearm in a deadly force encounter. Yes, I am lumping them into a group. I recognize that. I know a few teachers, and they became teachers because they want to live in a world where everything is rainbows and puppy dogs. This may be untrue for some, but this is my observation. Some type of armed security, whether it be private contractor or off duty police officer, is the way to go in my opinion.
Dang! My 3rd grade teacher, Sister Mary Butkus, didn't need a firearm. And she loved to torture puppies in her spare time when she wasn't flipping the bird to rainbows. Ah, the good old days (sigh.)I don't think that many teachers possess the mindset necessary to wield a firearm in a deadly force encounter. Yes, I am lumping them into a group. I recognize that. I know a few teachers, and they became teachers because they want to live in a world where everything is rainbows and puppy dogs. This may be untrue for some, but this is my observation. Some type of armed security, whether it be private contractor or off duty police officer, is the way to go in my opinion.
Training equivalent to or above I.L.E.A. standards, for those teachers who CHOOSE to train and carry.