Teachers with guns an accident in waiting
by Larry Cory
As a former classroom teacher I’m trying to envision myself carrying a loaded gun on my person. I’m wondering if it would be concealed, or if it would be holstered in full view of everyone.
I’m also wondering that in a crisis situation, would I have the wherewithal to effectively use my weapon?
All I can envision is a situation like Newtown, Connecticut and going into the hallways with several other colleagues firing at the intruder. I’m wondering how many bullets would strike the target - and most important - how many innocent lives would taken by “friendly fire.”
In New York City, recently people were killed by bullets from law enforcement agents despite all of their training.
I’m also wondering about the consequence of a student, or students, over-powering a teacher, stealing the gun and going a shooting rampage. I’m also wondering about weapons that could be accidentally misplaced or lost. The probability of that happening, although very slight, is also very real and nonetheless dangerous.
Moreover, I’m wondering about the impact on my students when they realize that I’m carrying a gun with me everyday in every class. I’m wondering about how fearful they may become, knowing that someone needs a gun to constantly protect them.
I’m also wondering if impressionable kids may also feel the need to carry a gun or think that it’s the “cool” thing to do.
Overall, from my perspective, teachers carrying guns is a tragic accident waiting to happen.
As a former classroom teacher I’m trying to envision myself carrying a loaded gun on my person. I’m wondering if it would be concealed, or if it would be holstered in full view of everyone.
I’m also wondering that in a crisis situation, would I have the wherewithal to effectively use my weapon?
All I can envision is a situation like Newtown, Connecticut and going into the hallways with several other colleagues firing at the intruder. I’m wondering how many bullets would strike the target - and most important - how many innocent lives would taken by “friendly fire.”
In New York City, recently people were killed by bullets from law enforcement agents despite all of their training.
I’m also wondering about the consequence of a student, or students, over-powering a teacher, stealing the gun and going a shooting rampage. I’m also wondering about weapons that could be accidentally misplaced or lost. The probability of that happening, although very slight, is also very real and nonetheless dangerous.
Moreover, I’m wondering about the impact on my students when they realize that I’m carrying a gun with me everyday in every class. I’m wondering about how fearful they may become, knowing that someone needs a gun to constantly protect them.
I’m also wondering if impressionable kids may also feel the need to carry a gun or think that it’s the “cool” thing to do.
Overall, from my perspective, teachers carrying guns is a tragic accident waiting to happen.