Should Teachers be Armed?

Since the tragedy at Parkland, debate has arisen about what to do to prevent not only further school shootings, but also excessive loss of life in the inevitable case that there are more threats to schools. Some have said that the solution lies in arming the teachers and faculty with lethal firearms. Purveyors of this solution claim that the teachers would be trained in shooting, but others, including teachers at this school, have raised the concerns that, even in the event of a school shooting, they would not be mentally able to injure or take the life of a student, regardless of whether that student is a threat to all other students.

As one teacher stated, “I didn’t become a teacher to hurt students.” By this, the teacher meant that even in the event of a shooting, hurting a student lethally or non-lethally would be against his or her moral code. Some students that I have spoken with suggested arming teachers with non-lethal weapons such as tasers, but I and some other students I have heard have been making remarks about how teachers would then have the ability to have the “perfect class” attained by the threatening of students with said weapon. This could potentially be a big problem for the supporters of arming teachers. Another concern is that a student could potentially break into the teachers weapon safe and use it against other students and the teacher.

I have heard that there could be an alarm system connected with the safe doors so that if one safe opens, a school-wide lockdown would ensue, but the issue with that is money: how would we get the money to put one of these safes, along with a firearm, in every classroom?

Should teachers be armed? I think not. There are simply too many problems with it. From teachers with PTSD and those that would be unable to kill or injure a student, regardless of a threat, to the logistics of keeping a weapon in the classroom and the money involved in making it happen.

That said, what can be done? Metal detectors would be nearly pointless, and the walls are relatively easy to jump over. We already have police on campus, but should we have more? That could potentially be a drain on the Barstow Police Department. Ms. Kathy O’Neill was interviewed and she said that teachers should not be armed because it would lead to more danger. She was also asked what the best way to prevent school shootings and she replied “By everyone, staff and students, being more aware.” She states that we as members of Barstow High School know more about our school than anyone else, and that by being aware of the students around us and talking with them we can prevent any potential shootings. “If you see something, say something.”

We as a newspaper and I as an individual, ask you to please say something if you see it. It could save lives. http://barstow.k12.ca.us/BHS/4075-CST-Test.html

This link is to the school’s anonymous tip line. If you see something that should be reported and do not want anyone to know that you reported it, this is where you go. If you see something, say it, because it could be the difference that someone needs, whether it prevents lives lost or not, it’s better safe than sorry.