The idea of a school shooting is a tragedy in and of itself! After all, who thinks of killing and maiming innocent children and young adults? The loss, the horrors that will be lived a lifetime, the things that can't be "unseen" and the feelings of, "If only I..." are only some of the effects that will remain.
The fact remains that school shootings are real, very real and they should NOT be, but they are. They are up close in your face and they never should have been, but they are. They have become so commonplace that they are now a sub-culture in school safety at campuses across the United States.
According to Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that began tracking school shootings in 2014 (About a year after Sandy Hook), there have been approximately 239 school shootings with over 400 people shot since the horrors of Sandy Hook. In 2018 alone, reports indicate that there have been 18 school shooting incidents since January 1st. One can argue the definition of "School Shooting" and the numbers will be lower. If you eliminate the suicides, the accidental discharge of a firearm (In possession by a student), and whatever else, it looks like there have been 7 "Critical Incidents"
involving the intentional discharge of firearms at people, resulting in the desired outcome of death or injury. Frankly, I find the fact that there are categories and data on the subject to be deplorable, but again, these horrors are real and we are left to deal with them...
We know we are not immune and we have learned that they are not diminishing in any way, so what is the answer? Is arming teachers really the way to go? What would that look like? Would this become part of their credential? What training would be involved?
Is this "solution" nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction that is trying to be defended or is it plausible? The proper training for a combative mindset is life-changing and and will have life-long effects on how one sees views the world. A teacher would go from viewing students as the hopes and dreams of our future to every student being a potential threat. What kind of connection or relationship can be built between teacher and student if teachers were armed? There are roughly 3.1 million teachers in the United States. Equipping just 25% of those teachers with a firearm would be astronomical! The remaining costs of ammunition, quarterly training, and liability insurance unimaginable. Would these funds come from the LCAP? Would armorers become a new position on campuses? after-all, The weapons would need to be maintained and serviced.
In the end, I just don't see it being a true solution. However, I am interested in your thoughts on this subject...
