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Me, carry a gun?

Guns. Who should have them? Soldiers? I can't imagine anyone going to war without one. Police officers? Of course! They often go up against criminals willing to use one. Private citizens? The 2nd Amendment gives us that right. Teachers like me?

It is incomprehensible when a gunman goes into a school and shoots down so many innocent. I have no doubt that the majority of teachers would do anything to protect their students. I know I would. I have been thinking a lot about the idea of carrying a gun while teaching. I have had conversations with others that believe it is the right thing to do. Guns are second nature to them. They are trained to use them. They won't go anywhere without one. I think a day at the gun range would be fun. I think  teaching kids with a gun hidden away on me would be nerve-wracking.


School needs to be a safe place. This is an indisputable fact. Would it be safer if I, a teacher, were carrying a gun? I don't think so. I consider myself to be a good teacher. Most of what I do in the classroom comes as second nature. In the beginning of my career, a student held a knife to my throat. I calmly asked for the knife. He gave it to me. I have jumped in the middle of many a fight to break them up. Bullet holes above my desk have greeted me in the morning. Would a gun have helped me any in those situations? I don't believe so. Granted I have never had to look down the barrel of a gun. In the almost 20 years I have been in the profession, the job of a teacher has changed drastically. Teaching is only a portion of what I do on a daily basis. In my opinion, adding a weapon as a part of my duties is dangerous.

Writing this, I wonder what my students would say? Would they feel more comfortable with me carrying a gun? What would their parents think about all the time I spend training on how to use a gun rather than how to better teach their child? It will make for an interesting debate.

I am all for armed School Resource Officers in schools. Unfortunately, it is likely that money will keep it from happening. Schools are cutting more and more teachers and programs each year. As a nation, we find money for war and bail outs. It is time for us to find money for our children. Our next generation. To keep them safe. To provide good teachers. To give them the skills to make our country better than ever. It is not a time for politics. It is time to join together and talk about our children.

Some food for thought:




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