Teachers Carrying Firearms in Schools

By McKenna Rueter 

President Donald Trump has proposed a new bill that enables certified teachers to carry concealed firearms in school buildings. After recent massacres at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and Sandy Hook, citizens are calling for gun control and protection of repeated events. 
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At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School 17 students and faculty members were murdered by a gunman who had snuck into his old school and opened fire on the unarmed students. The controversial topic of gun control has been given more attention after this event. 

Trump says a bill to permit a certain number of teachers in schools would increase protection. He has said each teacher would receive “a little bonus” and would be trained in programs funded by federal money. This idea has gained momentum in recent days with legislators looking to move towards permitting teachers with concealed weapons and Sheriff's offices offering to train school staff members in armed response.
 
The controversial topic has both pros and cons. Robbie Noyes, a Senior at Glenelg, says “Having at least a few teachers with firearms would bring more protection for an unexpected situation. I feel like preparing for the worst would be more beneficial for safety.” Some students are in agreeance with the idea while others have concerns.
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With this legislation has been moving forward there is still much resistance on this bill. Parents and students have concerns of their own with teachers being armed. Maddie Southern, a Junior at Glenelg, says “I feel like my teachers having guns would make more problems than what is trying to be solved. I don’t think I’d be as comfortable with the teachers being armed.” Many students in Glenelg High School have said they see more potential dangers if the bill were to be passed. 

Some teachers do not want the responsibility of carrying a firearm. There is an extent of factors that come into play if a teacher were to commit to the responsibility of a firearm. Accidents could occur that could give teachers great liability such as aiming the gun resulting in a tragic accident. Also depending on location and accessibility of the firearm, the gun could fall into the hands of the wrong person of which the teacher would be responsible for. When asking teachers in Glenelg about carrying concealed firearms there was a tendency to hear more cons of the potential bill. Mr. Male, a History department teacher of Glenelg, said “If we are not allowed to even have peanuts in our classrooms, why should we be allowed to have guns?” Mr. Male’s comment echos the opinions of many teachers in the Glenelg community. 
This bill is still being debated and discussed by officials to come to a conclusion. This conclusion will not be reached without controversy and resistance surrounding both the bill and the decision makers. President Donald Trump is still in process of examining the bill and how the American people would react to the bill’s affects.