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Thanks Joe. This has been on my mind a lot lately. I am a hunter and gun owner but not a big fan of guns as anything other than a tool. It scares me to think that there could be individuals in our schools walking around with guns (other than an SRO of course). However, given the nature of our country and that this issue is coming up, I have taken the effort to take a concealed carry course. I would rather be one of the ones in the schools with a gun, than one of the ones without.
During my graduate degree program I worked in the education department of a women’s prison. Everyday I come to some of the schools I work in and it brings me great sadness that I feel we are getting closer and closer to the prison like atmosphere I worked in years ago. Locked doors, buttons that have to be pressed by someone of authority to let you through, radios to indicate whats going on around the school, windows protecting the secretaries with only small holes for interaction. Our schools are already starting to feel more like the prison I worked in than open education agencies for out children and communities.
While I am on board for anything that will keep our students (and my children who are coming of school age) safe. I am extremely hesitant to put guns in our schools.
Joe has an excellent commentary on the issue of arming staff in schools. The most important point is following the law in Wyoming. The second point that is critical is properly vetting potential candidates that might be approved to carry a firearm in a school. Finally, the third point Joe brings up is the function of the staff member who also carries a weapon in a school.
Whether you look in the literature related to self-defense, the philosophy of self-defense or the personal safety compendium, the first reaction is to avoid a fight. School personnel should be defensive. Let the SROs do their job – if they are available.