Not all will agree with me, I know, but I'm glad to hear that Gentry Public Schools is at least going to talk about the possibility of training and arming some of its teachers and staff as extra security against an intruder intent on killing children and teachers at a public school.
It ought to be quite obvious that current laws banning the carrying of firearms on school property do not stop deranged killers from carrying their weapons into gun-free zones. If a person cares nothing about laws against assault, battery and murder, why would he or she be dissuaded by a gun law?
And, if one is really willing to consider the truth, laws banning guns from certain buildings and places have made those places soft targets and inviting to the deranged intent on a high body count. All such gun laws do is make the law-abiding defenseless before the criminals who have no respect for the law anyway.
I've said it in a previous column and will repeat it here. If I were a criminal, intent on robbery or, worse yet, mass murder -- and I'm not, even though I support gun rights -- what better place to choose to carry out a crime than a place where the law-abiding cannot carry weapons? And though the signs posted in some business windows may protect property owners from legal liabilities, they do nothing to stop crime and very well may even serve as an invitation for criminals to carry out their crimes there.
Of course, any person who carries a firearm on school property to defend himself and others -- especially the children -- needs to be trained and to train continually. There is much that can go wrong without forethought and continual training. Hiring individuals and companies to provide specialized training and to share expertise in such things as how to carry safely, how to keep a firearm secure and out of the wrong hands, types of ammunition to use and how to respond when law enforcement arrives on the scene is of utmost importance. Certainly, cooperation and training with local police cannot be overlooked.
And, no, carrying a firearm and taking on the added role as a security officer, is not for everyone. It's a huge responsibility and not one that can ever be taken lightly. So much is involved that many, and possibly most, teachers may not be cut out for the task. But there are likely those with prior military and law-enforcement training and those willing to put in the time and effort to get the needed training.
Just having an unknown number of armed security officers is a deterrent. Someone intent on killing might be dissuaded entirely or might just choose another place -- a softer target -- with less resistance.
And in the end, even if the deterrent fails, every second counts in responding to a school shooter. Every second lost is potentially a life lost. I'd rather see teachers and staff equipped to take action instead of hiding and allowing a deranged shooter to carry out his intended actions.
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 08/29/2018