Teachers & Guns? Maybe?

Imagine taking your kids to school and not knowing it will be last time you see them. The routine of seeing your children walk into school was just like any other day. Hours go by and you hear the chatter of breaking news that there’s an active shooter at one of the elementary schools in your city. You begin to feel sad just thinking about the situation and the potential outcome. And then it hits you – this might be at your children’s school. As you check your phone you overhear the news mention and confirm that it is their school. You immediately are overwhelmed with fear of the safety of your kids. You try with all your might to keep your composure and think positive while you’re in route to the school. Upon arrival, you begin to look for the familiar faces of your little ones as the scene is completely frantic. You notice students are in groups being watched by teachers and other faculty, but you can’t find your kids… anywhere. Hours seem to pass by but in actuality, it’s only been a few minutes. You soon learn that one of your children is a victim of the senseless act caused by the gunman who entered their school and started randomly shooting less than an hour ago. Shortly thereafter, your child is unfortunately confirmed dead at the scene.

How could this happen? Could it have been prevented? Many may ask God why did he allow this to happen? How does one move on in life from this situation knowing they can’t take their child home? These are probably some of the many questions that families are dealing with when such a situation occurs, a situation that is becoming all too familiar in the United States. And why is that? Why can’t we trust our schools of all places to keep our kids safe from such tragedy and violence?

Is allowing teachers to carry a handgun the real answer to what’s happening in our schools? Who’s to say that teachers are responsible enough to handle their firearm in the presence of 20 or so children? On the other hand, what if a teacher could prevent multiple casualties if he or she was armed and had the mental composure and aptitude to respond effectively in the event of an active shooter entering the school or their classroom? There are several Pros and Cons when discussing whether or not a teacher should be allowed to carry a firearm in school, and should he or she be trusted to respond effectively.

Nothing can bring back these children whose lives were taken from their families in these senseless school shootings, but lessons can be and must be learned from these tragedies. I’m not sure arming teachers is the right move, but do nothing is not an option.