As a retired teacher (32 years), I have difficulty with the idea to arm teachers with firearms.
First, we are in a school system to educate. Secondly, we were not trained to use firearms in our teaching environment. Third, what would that say to our students, parents, the community, and others about what are we supposed to do as a teacher. Does this mean as teachers we have the “power” to do what?
Maybe all the states should position police officers in every school. Let the police, who are properly trained, know all the laws and are a deterrent in terrible situations, do the job of protection for which they are trained to do. The police are trained to react to most situations (with few exceptions) and react in any crisis situation (God forbid it may happen again).
Do not put the onus on teachers because they are not trained to deal with this type of situation. The federal and state governments should respond and address these situations and authorize more money to protect our future citizens in a way that makes sense.
The police departments are the proper venues to deal with this.
Joseph Madenski
Hadley