Finally - some common sense - teachers with guns

 

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BRAVO TEXAS! Now that's one smart little town with big ideas that will protect the children. Sure hope more school districts get the brains to do the same across America. Rhonda

Not a problem with me. It sounds like this district has some well thought out legitimate concerns.

 

The University Of Nevada, Reno, tried the same thing last year and it was "shot down". They figured the teachers were too weak to carry and thought the perp would disarm them and use the gun. Good for Texas. I assume common sense and intelligence makes all the difference in the world when allowing important decisions to be made.

(CM) Jim from Texas said:

 

Texas school district letting teachers carry guns

From Associated Press

August 15, 2008 5:41 PM EDT

HARROLD, Texas - A tiny Texas school district will allow teachers and staff members to carry concealed firearms to protect against school shootings when classes begin this month, provided the gun-toting employees follow certain requirements.

The small community of Harrold in north Texas is a 30-minute drive from the Wilbarger County Sheriff's Office, leaving students and teachers without protection, said David Thweatt, superintendent of the Harrold Independent School District. The lone campus of the 110-student district sits near a heavily traveled highway, which could make it a target, he argued.

"When the federal government started making schools gun-free zones, that's when all of these shootings started. Why would you put it out there that a group of people can't defend themselves? That's like saying 'sic 'em' to a dog," Thweatt said in a story published Friday on the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Web site.

Barbara Williams, a spokeswoman for the Texas Association of School Boards, said her organization did not know of another district with such a policy. Ken Trump, a Cleveland-based school security expert who advises districts nationwide, said Harrold is the first district with such a policy.

Trustees approved the policy change last year. For employees to carry a pistol, they must have a Texas license to carry a concealed handgun; must be authorized to carry by the district; must receive training in crisis management and hostile situations; and must ammunition designed to minimize the risk of ricocheting bullets.

Officials researched the policy and considered other options for about a year before approving the policy change, Thweatt said. The district also has other measures in place to prevent a school shooting, he said.

"The naysayers think (a shooting) won't happen here. If something were to happen here, I'd much rather be calling a parent to tell them that their child is OK because we were able to protect them," Thweatt said.

Texas law outlaws firearms at schools unless specific institutions allow them.

It isn't clear how many of the 50 or so teachers and staff members will be armed this fall because Thweatt did not disclose that information, to keep it from students or potential attackers.

Every American should have the right to carry a concealed weapon and carry it practically anywhere.  Then big government and criminals will think twice before messing with the flock.

and must (use) ammunition designed to minimize the risk of ricocheting bullets.

I'm finding this more important as I continue to support the right to carry a hadgun for personal protection. Using ammunition of the kind that will not penetrate a wall , for instance the wall between two apartment units, and kill an innocent bystander in the other unit only makes sense. This is not to say I am testing anyone's right to use any ammo desired but with carry does indeed come a high degree of responsibility.

My handgun carrying associates are pointing out the idea of using ammo that is less likely to kill innocent bystanders. Makes sense to me.   I cannot honestly say I would never miss my target and hit someone that has nothing to do with attacking or violating me. 

 

By the way, I am still at odds with employers that disallow workers to protect themselves in the workplace. In my case , it is a violation of corporate policy to possess any kind of weapon including a knife with blade exceeding 2-1/2 inches while on corporate property.

Because I am in violation of policy to possess a weapon in my vehicle while on corporate property that means I am putting myself at risk in route to and from work. That really bothers me and it is not as simple as finding another job. Likely the same policy would apply elsewhere in the "politically correct" mindset of today's workplaces.