27 People Dead, Mostly Children, at Connecticut Elementary

[Boomchild]

Guns or no guns I don't think you are going to stop people that are unbalanced or mentally ill enough to think that harming\killing large numbers of people by banning the use of their weapon of choice. In this case, reports say that this shooter while mentally ill, also was very intelligent and if guns were not available he would have more then likely chose something else that would have been just as deadly. Not sure if this was mentioned before but the first mass school shooting was in 1927 with a death toll of 38. The weapon used in that incident was dynamite.

[YoungJRNY]

Being a tourist in Dallas this weekend, I heard that there was a shooting but nothing like what I'm coming back home to and finding out everything that's been going on. My soul is literally ripped out of my chest. Not sure how to react mentally after this one.

[FinnFreak]

Last night I saw someone on the news who said that he wishes that the schools principal had had a gun on her so that she could have fought back. Sure, the thought of her being able to fight back is great. But it's not very realistic. That guy acts as if the principal was Rambo or something. Even when heavily trained swat teams that are wearing bullet-resistant vests and helmets surround a building or home where a gunman is inside, it's still common for one or more of those officers to be shot and possible killed. And yet we're to believe that a kindergarten teacher or principal who has had a few beginners classes with a gun is supposed to be able to fight off the psycho that's wearing the vest and loaded with weapons?

I saw one crime scene expert claiming that even since highly trained policemen/soldiers don't always succeed without collateral victims... teachers with guns could raise the victim count in such events way over 50%


John -

[slucero]

There was a whole thread on that Empire State killing... lots of good info on a New York Study that showed cops are over 50% less efficient in a firefight when there's more than one cop involved.

All the civilians hit with gunfire in that incident were hit with police rounds.

[artist4perry]

I actually had a guy get mad at me the other day because he said all teachers should be armed. I told him I would not carry a gun. He basically tried to make me feel like I was an idiot for not carrying a gun, but I know myself. Not all people are comfortable with the thought of killing. I could mame, hurt, and hold down a purp but I would do everything in my power to try not to kill. If I had to then I would but I would have to ask God for forgiveness. I know with some of you that seems stupid. But I truly take the words of THOU SHALT NOT KILL seriously. Even Jesus would not allow Peter to take up arms to protect him from the soldiers.

My conscience aside I would fight with everything in my being for those children, even jumping in the line of fire. You grow to love them more than your life. Seeing that photo of the teacher with a gun was what made me think of that conversation. Not everyone should pack a gun...I am not really good with guns and I have shot them before. I did not become a teacher to take up arms and be a soldier too. I will and do however have stashed things around my room that would inflict a great deal of pain if I need them. They also fall under the guise of stuff an art teacher would use to make art. Very sharp, painful things.

I don't care who thinks that not carrying is stupid, this guy was rude, he was at a family gathering with my family and acted put out then walked out of the room I was in and cut the conversation off mid sentence. I was very nice to him but he did not have to act so stupid. I realize this is a heated discussion for people of opposing views. Now would I have a problem with another teacher packing a gun? Not at all if it is not violating their conscience and they are good with a gun.

One man's opinion is not everyone's solution, and maybe there is not real fool proof solution to a thing like this. But I don't get the vitriol from opposing players on the discussion...it is a discussion and so far most folks have been civilized here. Remember that not everyone is for or against gun control. It is a discussion that is prevalent after tragedies of this magnitude because we feel helpless to do SOMETHING. But I am not sure throwing the baby out with the bathwater is the solution. Hunting serves a purpose of keeping wildlife in check and keeping them from dying of starvation and disease. People should be able to protect themselves from home invasion if they feel threatened.
In all this I have to say a gun is not my cup of tea. But I am not running around gathering everyone's guns up because I am a teacher and thus some day could be in the line of fire.
Mental illness and severe anti-social behavior needs to be addressed here as well...these are difficult things to prognose though and I think we hardly see it coming till it is too late.
My son is autistic...a milder form but autistic none the less. We have never had guns or violent games in our house. Even though empathy does not come easy for him I have taught him to be empathetic to others and as he has matured he has developed skills to empathize more than he had as a child. I have taught him life is sacred. He has grown to be a kind gentle soul. He still lacks many social skills but surrounding him with good Christian young people with good values that have taken him under their wing has helped him to learn to open his shell. Now I am not saying only Christian kids can help don't start on that...they were good moral kids period. They were the friends of my daughter and her husband and they reached out to help.
Kids like this need a support system.

[tater1977]

I actually had a guy get mad at me the other day because he said all teachers should be armed. I told him I would not carry a gun. He basically tried to make me feel like I was an idiot for not carrying a gun, but I know myself. Not all people are comfortable with the thought of killing. I could mame, hurt, and hold down a purp but I would do everything in my power to try not to kill. If I had to then I would but I would have to ask God for forgiveness. I know with some of you that seems stupid. But I truly take the words of THOU SHALT NOT KILL seriously. Even Jesus would not allow Peter to take up arms to protect him from the soldiers.

My conscience aside I would fight with everything in my being for those children, even jumping in the line of fire. You grow to love them more than your life. Seeing that photo of the teacher with a gun was what made me think of that conversation. Not everyone should pack a gun...I am not really good with guns and I have shot them before. I did not become a teacher to take up arms and be a soldier too. I will and do however have stashed things around my room that would inflict a great deal of pain if I need them. They also fall under the guise of stuff an art teacher would use to make art. Very sharp, painful things.

I don't care who thinks that not carrying is stupid, this guy was rude, he was at a family gathering with my family and acted put out then walked out of the room I was in and cut the conversation off mid sentence. I was very nice to him but he did not have to act so stupid. I realize this is a heated discussion for people of opposing views. Now would I have a problem with another teacher packing a gun? Not at all if it is not violating their conscience and they are good with a gun.

One man's opinion is not everyone's solution, and maybe there is not real fool proof solution to a thing like this. But I don't get the vitriol from opposing players on the discussion...it is a discussion and so far most folks have been civilized here. Remember that not everyone is for or against gun control. It is a discussion that is prevalent after tragedies of this magnitude because we feel helpless to do SOMETHING. But I am not sure throwing the baby out with the bathwater is the solution. Hunting serves a purpose of keeping wildlife in check and keeping them from dying of starvation and disease. People should be able to protect themselves from home invasion if they feel threatened.
In all this I have to say a gun is not my cup of tea. But I am not running around gathering everyone's guns up because I am a teacher and thus some day could be in the line of fire.
Mental illness and severe anti-social behavior needs to be addressed here as well...these are difficult things to prognose though and I think we hardly see it coming till it is too late.
My son is autistic...a milder form but autistic none the less. We have never had guns or violent games in our house. Even though empathy does not come easy for him I have taught him to be empathetic to others and as he has matured he has developed skills to empathize more than he had as a child. I have taught him life is sacred. He has grown to be a kind gentle soul. He still lacks many social skills but surrounding him with good Christian young people with good values that have taken him under their wing has helped him to learn to open his shell. Now I am not saying only Christian kids can help don't start on that...they were good moral kids period. They were the friends of my daughter and her husband and they reached out to help.
Kids like this need a support system.

Next time he asks you that question..Ask him if he's so concerned...tell him to go sign up
and join his local PD, SO or Hwy Patrol... Tell him go thru the academy & then do his
continued training..firearms included...& then apply & get a job with his local school
district...as a Resource Officer...& then ask him...why hasn't he done it already if he's
so concerned...
Even when your off-duty...your technically still "on-duty" 24/7...
You get lol "volunteered" to work school activities...oh yeah...wear full uniform
with all your equipment ..so the kids can ID you...
You would be amazed at what kids try to bring inside to HS basketball games
& even worse what they try to sneak into football games..
If you don't feel safe with a gun...choose a different weapon....
pepperspray or such...
But your choice is what makes you comfortable ....so stay with it...

[artist4perry]

I actually had a guy get mad at me the other day because he said all teachers should be armed. I told him I would not carry a gun. He basically tried to make me feel like I was an idiot for not carrying a gun, but I know myself. Not all people are comfortable with the thought of killing. I could mame, hurt, and hold down a purp but I would do everything in my power to try not to kill. If I had to then I would but I would have to ask God for forgiveness. I know with some of you that seems stupid. But I truly take the words of THOU SHALT NOT KILL seriously. Even Jesus would not allow Peter to take up arms to protect him from the soldiers.

My conscience aside I would fight with everything in my being for those children, even jumping in the line of fire. You grow to love them more than your life. Seeing that photo of the teacher with a gun was what made me think of that conversation. Not everyone should pack a gun...I am not really good with guns and I have shot them before. I did not become a teacher to take up arms and be a soldier too. I will and do however have stashed things around my room that would inflict a great deal of pain if I need them. They also fall under the guise of stuff an art teacher would use to make art. Very sharp, painful things.

I don't care who thinks that not carrying is stupid, this guy was rude, he was at a family gathering with my family and acted put out then walked out of the room I was in and cut the conversation off mid sentence. I was very nice to him but he did not have to act so stupid. I realize this is a heated discussion for people of opposing views. Now would I have a problem with another teacher packing a gun? Not at all if it is not violating their conscience and they are good with a gun.

One man's opinion is not everyone's solution, and maybe there is not real fool proof solution to a thing like this. But I don't get the vitriol from opposing players on the discussion...it is a discussion and so far most folks have been civilized here. Remember that not everyone is for or against gun control. It is a discussion that is prevalent after tragedies of this magnitude because we feel helpless to do SOMETHING. But I am not sure throwing the baby out with the bathwater is the solution. Hunting serves a purpose of keeping wildlife in check and keeping them from dying of starvation and disease. People should be able to protect themselves from home invasion if they feel threatened.
In all this I have to say a gun is not my cup of tea. But I am not running around gathering everyone's guns up because I am a teacher and thus some day could be in the line of fire.
Mental illness and severe anti-social behavior needs to be addressed here as well...these are difficult things to prognose though and I think we hardly see it coming till it is too late.
My son is autistic...a milder form but autistic none the less. We have never had guns or violent games in our house. Even though empathy does not come easy for him I have taught him to be empathetic to others and as he has matured he has developed skills to empathize more than he had as a child. I have taught him life is sacred. He has grown to be a kind gentle soul. He still lacks many social skills but surrounding him with good Christian young people with good values that have taken him under their wing has helped him to learn to open his shell. Now I am not saying only Christian kids can help don't start on that...they were good moral kids period. They were the friends of my daughter and her husband and they reached out to help.
Kids like this need a support system.

Next time he asks you that question..Ask him if he's so concerned...tell him to go sign up
and join his local PD, SO or Hwy Patrol... Tell him go thru the academy & then do his
continued training..firearms included...& then apply & get a job with his local school
district...as a Resource Officer...& then ask him...why hasn't he done it already if he's
so concerned...
Even when your off-duty...your technically still "on-duty" 24/7...
You get lol "volunteered" to work school activities...oh yeah...wear full uniform
with all your equipment ..so the kids can ID you...
You would be amazed at what kids try to bring inside to HS basketball games
& even worse what they try to sneak into football games..
If you don't feel safe with a gun...choose a different weapon....
pepperspray or such...
But your choice is what makes you comfortable ....so stay with it...

The guy is an EMT police officer. I know Jonesboro has on campus cops since their school shooting and I think that is a stellar idea...they are trained, and not apt to shoot themselves in the foot or shoot someone else by accident. They are also trained to deal with a bad situation. The guy I speak of would do so if he could. But he needs to understand it is not for everyone. I just ignored him...easily enough said if your of that mindset. You cannot force everyone else to be a pistol packing hero. I prefer to use things like sharp objects, hammers, mallets, these things are put away in my classroom for such occasions and uses I have for my art class. They may not stop a bullet no...but if the guy is trying to squeeze into the little window in my room I am going to come from his blind side and whack him like a mole.

[tater1977]

I actually had a guy get mad at me the other day because he said all teachers should be armed. I told him I would not carry a gun. He basically tried to make me feel like I was an idiot for not carrying a gun, but I know myself. Not all people are comfortable with the thought of killing. I could mame, hurt, and hold down a purp but I would do everything in my power to try not to kill. If I had to then I would but I would have to ask God for forgiveness. I know with some of you that seems stupid. But I truly take the words of THOU SHALT NOT KILL seriously. Even Jesus would not allow Peter to take up arms to protect him from the soldiers.

My conscience aside I would fight with everything in my being for those children, even jumping in the line of fire. You grow to love them more than your life. Seeing that photo of the teacher with a gun was what made me think of that conversation. Not everyone should pack a gun...I am not really good with guns and I have shot them before. I did not become a teacher to take up arms and be a soldier too. I will and do however have stashed things around my room that would inflict a great deal of pain if I need them. They also fall under the guise of stuff an art teacher would use to make art. Very sharp, painful things.

I don't care who thinks that not carrying is stupid, this guy was rude, he was at a family gathering with my family and acted put out then walked out of the room I was in and cut the conversation off mid sentence. I was very nice to him but he did not have to act so stupid. I realize this is a heated discussion for people of opposing views. Now would I have a problem with another teacher packing a gun? Not at all if it is not violating their conscience and they are good with a gun.

One man's opinion is not everyone's solution, and maybe there is not real fool proof solution to a thing like this. But I don't get the vitriol from opposing players on the discussion...it is a discussion and so far most folks have been civilized here. Remember that not everyone is for or against gun control. It is a discussion that is prevalent after tragedies of this magnitude because we feel helpless to do SOMETHING. But I am not sure throwing the baby out with the bathwater is the solution. Hunting serves a purpose of keeping wildlife in check and keeping them from dying of starvation and disease. People should be able to protect themselves from home invasion if they feel threatened.
In all this I have to say a gun is not my cup of tea. But I am not running around gathering everyone's guns up because I am a teacher and thus some day could be in the line of fire.
Mental illness and severe anti-social behavior needs to be addressed here as well...these are difficult things to prognose though and I think we hardly see it coming till it is too late.
My son is autistic...a milder form but autistic none the less. We have never had guns or violent games in our house. Even though empathy does not come easy for him I have taught him to be empathetic to others and as he has matured he has developed skills to empathize more than he had as a child. I have taught him life is sacred. He has grown to be a kind gentle soul. He still lacks many social skills but surrounding him with good Christian young people with good values that have taken him under their wing has helped him to learn to open his shell. Now I am not saying only Christian kids can help don't start on that...they were good moral kids period. They were the friends of my daughter and her husband and they reached out to help.
Kids like this need a support system.

Next time he asks you that question..Ask him if he's so concerned...tell him to go sign up
and join his local PD, SO or Hwy Patrol... Tell him go thru the academy & then do his
continued training..firearms included...& then apply & get a job with his local school
district...as a Resource Officer...& then ask him...why hasn't he done it already if he's
so concerned...
Even when your off-duty...your technically still "on-duty" 24/7...
You get lol "volunteered" to work school activities...oh yeah...wear full uniform
with all your equipment ..so the kids can ID you...
You would be amazed at what kids try to bring inside to HS basketball games
& even worse what they try to sneak into football games..
If you don't feel safe with a gun...choose a different weapon....
pepperspray or such...
But your choice is what makes you comfortable ....so stay with it...

The guy is an EMT police officer. I know Jonesboro has on campus cops since their school shooting and I think that is a stellar idea...they are trained, and not apt to shoot themselves in the foot or shoot someone else by accident. They are also trained to deal with a bad situation. The guy I speak of would do so if he could. But he needs to understand it is not for everyone. I just ignored him...easily enough said if your of that mindset. You cannot force everyone else to be a pistol packing hero. I prefer to use things like sharp objects, hammers, mallets, these things are put away in my classroom for such occasions and uses I have for my art class. They may not stop a bullet no...but if the guy is trying to squeeze into the little window in my room I am going to come from his blind side and whack him like a mole.

Hey I love that whack a mole game

[artist4perry]

I actually had a guy get mad at me the other day because he said all teachers should be armed. I told him I would not carry a gun. He basically tried to make me feel like I was an idiot for not carrying a gun, but I know myself. Not all people are comfortable with the thought of killing. I could mame, hurt, and hold down a purp but I would do everything in my power to try not to kill. If I had to then I would but I would have to ask God for forgiveness. I know with some of you that seems stupid. But I truly take the words of THOU SHALT NOT KILL seriously. Even Jesus would not allow Peter to take up arms to protect him from the soldiers.

My conscience aside I would fight with everything in my being for those children, even jumping in the line of fire. You grow to love them more than your life. Seeing that photo of the teacher with a gun was what made me think of that conversation. Not everyone should pack a gun...I am not really good with guns and I have shot them before. I did not become a teacher to take up arms and be a soldier too. I will and do however have stashed things around my room that would inflict a great deal of pain if I need them. They also fall under the guise of stuff an art teacher would use to make art. Very sharp, painful things.

I don't care who thinks that not carrying is stupid, this guy was rude, he was at a family gathering with my family and acted put out then walked out of the room I was in and cut the conversation off mid sentence. I was very nice to him but he did not have to act so stupid. I realize this is a heated discussion for people of opposing views. Now would I have a problem with another teacher packing a gun? Not at all if it is not violating their conscience and they are good with a gun.

One man's opinion is not everyone's solution, and maybe there is not real fool proof solution to a thing like this. But I don't get the vitriol from opposing players on the discussion...it is a discussion and so far most folks have been civilized here. Remember that not everyone is for or against gun control. It is a discussion that is prevalent after tragedies of this magnitude because we feel helpless to do SOMETHING. But I am not sure throwing the baby out with the bathwater is the solution. Hunting serves a purpose of keeping wildlife in check and keeping them from dying of starvation and disease. People should be able to protect themselves from home invasion if they feel threatened.
In all this I have to say a gun is not my cup of tea. But I am not running around gathering everyone's guns up because I am a teacher and thus some day could be in the line of fire.
Mental illness and severe anti-social behavior needs to be addressed here as well...these are difficult things to prognose though and I think we hardly see it coming till it is too late.
My son is autistic...a milder form but autistic none the less. We have never had guns or violent games in our house. Even though empathy does not come easy for him I have taught him to be empathetic to others and as he has matured he has developed skills to empathize more than he had as a child. I have taught him life is sacred. He has grown to be a kind gentle soul. He still lacks many social skills but surrounding him with good Christian young people with good values that have taken him under their wing has helped him to learn to open his shell. Now I am not saying only Christian kids can help don't start on that...they were good moral kids period. They were the friends of my daughter and her husband and they reached out to help.
Kids like this need a support system.

Next time he asks you that question..Ask him if he's so concerned...tell him to go sign up
and join his local PD, SO or Hwy Patrol... Tell him go thru the academy & then do his
continued training..firearms included...& then apply & get a job with his local school
district...as a Resource Officer...& then ask him...why hasn't he done it already if he's
so concerned...
Even when your off-duty...your technically still "on-duty" 24/7...
You get lol "volunteered" to work school activities...oh yeah...wear full uniform
with all your equipment ..so the kids can ID you...
You would be amazed at what kids try to bring inside to HS basketball games
& even worse what they try to sneak into football games..
If you don't feel safe with a gun...choose a different weapon....
pepperspray or such...
But your choice is what makes you comfortable ....so stay with it...

The guy is an EMT police officer. I know Jonesboro has on campus cops since their school shooting and I think that is a stellar idea...they are trained, and not apt to shoot themselves in the foot or shoot someone else by accident. They are also trained to deal with a bad situation. The guy I speak of would do so if he could. But he needs to understand it is not for everyone. I just ignored him...easily enough said if your of that mindset. You cannot force everyone else to be a pistol packing hero. I prefer to use things like sharp objects, hammers, mallets, these things are put away in my classroom for such occasions and uses I have for my art class. They may not stop a bullet no...but if the guy is trying to squeeze into the little window in my room I am going to come from his blind side and whack him like a mole.

Hey I love that whack a mole game

Me too!

I would go into the whole Home Alone invasion defense...and as an art teacher I would have plenty of arsenals at hand..artists are quite resourceful you know.
http://cdn5.movieclips.com/fox/h/home-a ... _Tx360.jpg

[tater1977]

I actually had a guy get mad at me the other day because he said all teachers should be armed. I told him I would not carry a gun. He basically tried to make me feel like I was an idiot for not carrying a gun, but I know myself. Not all people are comfortable with the thought of killing. I could mame, hurt, and hold down a purp but I would do everything in my power to try not to kill. If I had to then I would but I would have to ask God for forgiveness. I know with some of you that seems stupid. But I truly take the words of THOU SHALT NOT KILL seriously. Even Jesus would not allow Peter to take up arms to protect him from the soldiers.

My conscience aside I would fight with everything in my being for those children, even jumping in the line of fire. You grow to love them more than your life. Seeing that photo of the teacher with a gun was what made me think of that conversation. Not everyone should pack a gun...I am not really good with guns and I have shot them before. I did not become a teacher to take up arms and be a soldier too. I will and do however have stashed things around my room that would inflict a great deal of pain if I need them. They also fall under the guise of stuff an art teacher would use to make art. Very sharp, painful things.

I don't care who thinks that not carrying is stupid, this guy was rude, he was at a family gathering with my family and acted put out then walked out of the room I was in and cut the conversation off mid sentence. I was very nice to him but he did not have to act so stupid. I realize this is a heated discussion for people of opposing views. Now would I have a problem with another teacher packing a gun? Not at all if it is not violating their conscience and they are good with a gun.

One man's opinion is not everyone's solution, and maybe there is not real fool proof solution to a thing like this. But I don't get the vitriol from opposing players on the discussion...it is a discussion and so far most folks have been civilized here. Remember that not everyone is for or against gun control. It is a discussion that is prevalent after tragedies of this magnitude because we feel helpless to do SOMETHING. But I am not sure throwing the baby out with the bathwater is the solution. Hunting serves a purpose of keeping wildlife in check and keeping them from dying of starvation and disease. People should be able to protect themselves from home invasion if they feel threatened.
In all this I have to say a gun is not my cup of tea. But I am not running around gathering everyone's guns up because I am a teacher and thus some day could be in the line of fire.
Mental illness and severe anti-social behavior needs to be addressed here as well...these are difficult things to prognose though and I think we hardly see it coming till it is too late.
My son is autistic...a milder form but autistic none the less. We have never had guns or violent games in our house. Even though empathy does not come easy for him I have taught him to be empathetic to others and as he has matured he has developed skills to empathize more than he had as a child. I have taught him life is sacred. He has grown to be a kind gentle soul. He still lacks many social skills but surrounding him with good Christian young people with good values that have taken him under their wing has helped him to learn to open his shell. Now I am not saying only Christian kids can help don't start on that...they were good moral kids period. They were the friends of my daughter and her husband and they reached out to help.
Kids like this need a support system.

Next time he asks you that question..Ask him if he's so concerned...tell him to go sign up
and join his local PD, SO or Hwy Patrol... Tell him go thru the academy & then do his
continued training..firearms included...& then apply & get a job with his local school
district...as a Resource Officer...& then ask him...why hasn't he done it already if he's
so concerned...
Even when your off-duty...your technically still "on-duty" 24/7...
You get lol "volunteered" to work school activities...oh yeah...wear full uniform
with all your equipment ..so the kids can ID you...
You would be amazed at what kids try to bring inside to HS basketball games
& even worse what they try to sneak into football games..
If you don't feel safe with a gun...choose a different weapon....
pepperspray or such...
But your choice is what makes you comfortable ....so stay with it...

The guy is an EMT police officer. I know Jonesboro has on campus cops since their school shooting and I think that is a stellar idea...they are trained, and not apt to shoot themselves in the foot or shoot someone else by accident. They are also trained to deal with a bad situation. The guy I speak of would do so if he could. But he needs to understand it is not for everyone. I just ignored him...easily enough said if your of that mindset. You cannot force everyone else to be a pistol packing hero. I prefer to use things like sharp objects, hammers, mallets, these things are put away in my classroom for such occasions and uses I have for my art class. They may not stop a bullet no...but if the guy is trying to squeeze into the little window in my room I am going to come from his blind side and whack him like a mole.

Hey I love that whack a mole game

Me too!

I would go into the whole Home Alone invasion defense...and as an art teacher I would have plenty of arsenals at hand..artists are quite resourceful you know.
http://cdn5.movieclips.com/fox/h/home-a ... _Tx360.jpg

NOT NICE ... But it would probably work...

[artist4perry]

I actually had a guy get mad at me the other day because he said all teachers should be armed. I told him I would not carry a gun. He basically tried to make me feel like I was an idiot for not carrying a gun, but I know myself. Not all people are comfortable with the thought of killing. I could mame, hurt, and hold down a purp but I would do everything in my power to try not to kill. If I had to then I would but I would have to ask God for forgiveness. I know with some of you that seems stupid. But I truly take the words of THOU SHALT NOT KILL seriously. Even Jesus would not allow Peter to take up arms to protect him from the soldiers.

My conscience aside I would fight with everything in my being for those children, even jumping in the line of fire. You grow to love them more than your life. Seeing that photo of the teacher with a gun was what made me think of that conversation. Not everyone should pack a gun...I am not really good with guns and I have shot them before. I did not become a teacher to take up arms and be a soldier too. I will and do however have stashed things around my room that would inflict a great deal of pain if I need them. They also fall under the guise of stuff an art teacher would use to make art. Very sharp, painful things.

I don't care who thinks that not carrying is stupid, this guy was rude, he was at a family gathering with my family and acted put out then walked out of the room I was in and cut the conversation off mid sentence. I was very nice to him but he did not have to act so stupid. I realize this is a heated discussion for people of opposing views. Now would I have a problem with another teacher packing a gun? Not at all if it is not violating their conscience and they are good with a gun.

One man's opinion is not everyone's solution, and maybe there is not real fool proof solution to a thing like this. But I don't get the vitriol from opposing players on the discussion...it is a discussion and so far most folks have been civilized here. Remember that not everyone is for or against gun control. It is a discussion that is prevalent after tragedies of this magnitude because we feel helpless to do SOMETHING. But I am not sure throwing the baby out with the bathwater is the solution. Hunting serves a purpose of keeping wildlife in check and keeping them from dying of starvation and disease. People should be able to protect themselves from home invasion if they feel threatened.
In all this I have to say a gun is not my cup of tea. But I am not running around gathering everyone's guns up because I am a teacher and thus some day could be in the line of fire.
Mental illness and severe anti-social behavior needs to be addressed here as well...these are difficult things to prognose though and I think we hardly see it coming till it is too late.
My son is autistic...a milder form but autistic none the less. We have never had guns or violent games in our house. Even though empathy does not come easy for him I have taught him to be empathetic to others and as he has matured he has developed skills to empathize more than he had as a child. I have taught him life is sacred. He has grown to be a kind gentle soul. He still lacks many social skills but surrounding him with good Christian young people with good values that have taken him under their wing has helped him to learn to open his shell. Now I am not saying only Christian kids can help don't start on that...they were good moral kids period. They were the friends of my daughter and her husband and they reached out to help.
Kids like this need a support system.

Next time he asks you that question..Ask him if he's so concerned...tell him to go sign up
and join his local PD, SO or Hwy Patrol... Tell him go thru the academy & then do his
continued training..firearms included...& then apply & get a job with his local school
district...as a Resource Officer...& then ask him...why hasn't he done it already if he's
so concerned...
Even when your off-duty...your technically still "on-duty" 24/7...
You get lol "volunteered" to work school activities...oh yeah...wear full uniform
with all your equipment ..so the kids can ID you...
You would be amazed at what kids try to bring inside to HS basketball games
& even worse what they try to sneak into football games..
If you don't feel safe with a gun...choose a different weapon....
pepperspray or such...
But your choice is what makes you comfortable ....so stay with it...

The guy is an EMT police officer. I know Jonesboro has on campus cops since their school shooting and I think that is a stellar idea...they are trained, and not apt to shoot themselves in the foot or shoot someone else by accident. They are also trained to deal with a bad situation. The guy I speak of would do so if he could. But he needs to understand it is not for everyone. I just ignored him...easily enough said if your of that mindset. You cannot force everyone else to be a pistol packing hero. I prefer to use things like sharp objects, hammers, mallets, these things are put away in my classroom for such occasions and uses I have for my art class. They may not stop a bullet no...but if the guy is trying to squeeze into the little window in my room I am going to come from his blind side and whack him like a mole.

Hey I love that whack a mole game

Me too!

I would go into the whole Home Alone invasion defense...and as an art teacher I would have plenty of arsenals at hand..artists are quite resourceful you know.
http://cdn5.movieclips.com/fox/h/home-a ... _Tx360.jpg

NOT NICE ... But it would probably work...

[epresley]

Artist,

I would not feel comfortable carrying a gun at school either, nor being the one to decide when and where it necessitated shooting. That being said, I am no opposed to a school officer, or off duty policeman working in my building.

[Enigma869]

I've been saying it for years, and it's never more needed...EVERY school in this country needs an armed, on duty, Police Officer in the building at all times. While it's not lost on me that it won't prevent every tragedy, it will certainly make most nutbags think twice about having to confront an armed cop in a school, and perhaps they'll head to the local Starbucks.

[The Sushi Hunter]

I don't think armed teachers would have prevented this incident from happening. It all went down way too fast for teachers with guns to have stopped it. Any news on if the brother was at all involved? It was wierd that he was found near the school at the time of the shooting IMO.

[Archetype]

I've been saying it for years, and it's never more needed...EVERY school in this country needs an armed, on duty, Police Officer in the building at all times. While it's not lost on me that it won't prevent every tragedy, it will certainly make most nutbags think twice about having to confront an armed cop in a school, and perhaps they'll head to the local Starbucks.

I see your point, and think it's not a bad one, but who is to say that the cop won't snap someday and shoot students? It's very possible. I think we just need to go about our lives and realize that shit does, in fact, happen, often to good people, and there's nothing that can be done about it.

[parfait]

Handing out guns to teachers? Are all you people completely retarded?

The statistics doesn't lie. More guns = more gun fatalities. All the second amendment yammering doesn't mean much, when people die needlessly. Not to mention the harm caused by the American gun manufacturing and the subsequent export to Mexico.

What would Jesus do?

[FinnFreak]

What would Jesus do?

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword - (Matthew 26:52, King James Version)


John -

[The Sushi Hunter]

Handing out guns to teachers? Are all you people completely retarded?

The statistics doesn't lie. More guns = more gun fatalities. All the second amendment yammering doesn't mean much, when people die needlessly. Not to mention the harm caused by the American gun manufacturing and the subsequent export to Mexico.

What would Jesus do?

May as well eliminate cars too, because they kill lots of people every year as well. How about trees, got to eliminate trees because every year falling trees and their branches fall on people and kill them too. And I'm not even going to go into how many people use spoons to eat themselves to death every year.

[parfait]

Handing out guns to teachers? Are all you people completely retarded?

The statistics doesn't lie. More guns = more gun fatalities. All the second amendment yammering doesn't mean much, when people die needlessly. Not to mention the harm caused by the American gun manufacturing and the subsequent export to Mexico.

What would Jesus do?

May as well eliminate cars too, because they kill lots of people every year as well. How about trees, got to eliminate trees because every year falling trees and their branches fall on people and kill them too. And I'm not even going to go into how many people use spoons to eat themselves to death every year.

Do you really compare a car to a gun? Seriously?

Nobody fires a gun to get to school, to take their grandmother to a doctor's appointment or to help a neighbor get to their job, and inadvertently ends up blowing somebody's head off. The release of a gun's trigger has no additional function other than causing harm.

Guns and trees? Jeesh...

[verslibre]

Handing out guns to teachers? Are all you people completely retarded?

The statistics doesn't lie. More guns = more gun fatalities. All the second amendment yammering doesn't mean much, when people die needlessly. Not to mention the harm caused by the American gun manufacturing and the subsequent export to Mexico.

What would Jesus do?

Israeli teachers with permits are required to carry sidearms due to the volatile climate in which they make their existence.

Are Israelis retarded, too?

[verslibre]

Handing out guns to teachers? Are all you people completely retarded?

The statistics doesn't lie. More guns = more gun fatalities. All the second amendment yammering doesn't mean much, when people die needlessly. Not to mention the harm caused by the American gun manufacturing and the subsequent export to Mexico.

What would Jesus do?

May as well eliminate cars too, because they kill lots of people every year as well. How about trees, got to eliminate trees because every year falling trees and their branches fall on people and kill them too. And I'm not even going to go into how many people use spoons to eat themselves to death every year.

Do you really compare a car to a gun? Seriously?

Nobody fires a gun to get to school, to take their grandmother to a doctor's appointment or to help a neighbor get to their job, and inadvertently ends up blowing somebody's head off. The release of a gun's trigger has no additional function other than causing harm.

Guns and trees? Jeesh...

Here's a concept.

Let's get rid of nukes before we get rid of guns.

Oh, wait. Not going to happen. Because it's about deterrence.

Arm at least the principal of the school and post a couple plainclothes armed officers and broadcast that protocol, and see how many idiots with guns still try to do something.

[parfait]

Handing out guns to teachers? Are all you people completely retarded?

The statistics doesn't lie. More guns = more gun fatalities. All the second amendment yammering doesn't mean much, when people die needlessly. Not to mention the harm caused by the American gun manufacturing and the subsequent export to Mexico.

What would Jesus do?

May as well eliminate cars too, because they kill lots of people every year as well. How about trees, got to eliminate trees because every year falling trees and their branches fall on people and kill them too. And I'm not even going to go into how many people use spoons to eat themselves to death every year.

Do you really compare a car to a gun? Seriously?

Nobody fires a gun to get to school, to take their grandmother to a doctor's appointment or to help a neighbor get to their job, and inadvertently ends up blowing somebody's head off. The release of a gun's trigger has no additional function other than causing harm.

Guns and trees? Jeesh...

Here's a oncept.

Let's get rid of nukes before we get rid of guns.

Oh, wait. Not going to happen.

Because it's about deterrence. Arm at least the principal of the school and post a couple plainclothes armed officers and broadcast that protocol, and see how many idiots with guns still try to do something.

Comprehensive studies have shown that owning a gun increases the risk of dying from a homicide and was at greater risk of dying from an gun homicide.

Those persons with guns in the home were at greater risk than those without guns in the home of dying from a homicide in the home (adjusted odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 3.4). They were also at greater risk of dying from a firearm homicide, but risk varied by age and whether the person was living with others at the time of death. The risk of dying from a suicide in the home was greater for males in homes with guns than for males without guns in the home (adjusted odds ratio = 10.4, 95% confidence interval: 5.8, 18.9). Persons with guns in the home were also more likely to have died from suicide committed with a firearm than from one committed by using a different method (adjusted odds ratio = 31.1, 95% confidence interval: 19.5, 49.6). Results show that regardless of storage practice, type of gun, or number of firearms in the home, having a gun in the home was associated with an increased risk of firearm homicide and firearm suicide in the home.

Here's a link to two of those studies: One published in American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, (published by SAGE, a publication by the Harvard School of Public Health), and another which was published in the American Journal Epidemiology in 2004. http://ajl.sagepub.com/content/5/6/502 http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/160/10/929.full

[Gideon]

Handing out guns to teachers? Are all you people completely retarded?

The statistics doesn't lie. More guns = more gun fatalities. All the second amendment yammering doesn't mean much, when people die needlessly. Not to mention the harm caused by the American gun manufacturing and the subsequent export to Mexico.

What would Jesus do?

Hilariously, a cursory view at my Facebook news feed reveals at least a dozen of the more vocal Christians I know exchanging some of the more... militant views on this subject I've seen.

[Enigma869]

I don't think armed teachers would have prevented this incident from happening. It all went down way too fast for teachers with guns to have stopped it. Any news on if the brother was at all involved? It was wierd that he was found near the school at the time of the shooting IMO.

I never suggested arming teachers. I'm talking about arming trained Police Officers (who are already armed)!

[Enigma869]

I see your point, and think it's not a bad one, but who is to say that the cop won't snap someday and shoot students?

While anything certainly could happen, I've never once heard of a story about a cop shooting up a school and killing innocent children, so I'm willing to take my chances on this one. Not to mention, if someone were truly that whacked out, he or she could probably find their way to a school. I believe that if everyone knew that there was an armed cop on duty at every school in the country, they would take their chances elsewhere. Most burglars don't break into houses with alarms. It's a whole lot easier for them to target the gazillion other houses that don't have security in place!

[slucero]

I see your point, and think it's not a bad one, but who is to say that the cop won't snap someday and shoot students?

While anything certainly could happen, I've never once heard of a story about a cop shooting up a school and killing innocent children, so I'm willing to take my chances on this one. Not to mention, if someone were truly that whacked out, he or she could probably find their way to a school. I believe that if everyone knew that there was an armed cop on duty at every school in the country, they would take their chances elsewhere. Most burglars don't break into houses with alarms. It's a whole lot easier for them to target the gazillion other houses that don't have security in place!

Police go through psych evals... which weed out most of the potential nutjobs..

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

Handing out guns to teachers? Are all you people completely retarded?

The statistics doesn't lie. More guns = more gun fatalities. All the second amendment yammering doesn't mean much, when people die needlessly. Not to mention the harm caused by the American gun manufacturing and the subsequent export to Mexico.

What would Jesus do?

May as well eliminate cars too, because they kill lots of people every year as well. How about trees, got to eliminate trees because every year falling trees and their branches fall on people and kill them too. And I'm not even going to go into how many people use spoons to eat themselves to death every year.

I support the second amendment and oppose gun control , but I have to say this is an ineffective and silly "straw man" argument which is so non nonsensical that it weakens the anti gun control case. Its a howler. there are plenty of valid arguments against gun control, but comparing guns to spoons, trees, and cars is illogical.

[The Sushi Hunter]

I don't think armed teachers would have prevented this incident from happening. It all went down way too fast for teachers with guns to have stopped it. Any news on if the brother was at all involved? It was wierd that he was found near the school at the time of the shooting IMO.

I never suggested arming teachers. I'm talking about arming trained Police Officers (who are already armed)!

My post wasn't addressed to you specifically. I was addressing what I've heard over the course of the last few days from everywhere, not just on this site. There is much talk about arming the teachers or if the teachers had already been armed.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Handing out guns to teachers? Are all you people completely retarded?

The statistics doesn't lie. More guns = more gun fatalities. All the second amendment yammering doesn't mean much, when people die needlessly. Not to mention the harm caused by the American gun manufacturing and the subsequent export to Mexico.

What would Jesus do?

May as well eliminate cars too, because they kill lots of people every year as well. How about trees, got to eliminate trees because every year falling trees and their branches fall on people and kill them too. And I'm not even going to go into how many people use spoons to eat themselves to death every year.

I support the second amendment and oppose gun control , but I have to say this is an ineffective and silly "straw man" argument which is so non nonsensical that it weakens the anti gun control case. Its a howler. there are plenty of valid arguments against gun control, but comparing guns to spoons, trees, and cars is illogical.

Cars, trees and spoons kill people too but I was responding with those because the post I was responding to was so pathetic to begin with.

[artist4perry]

Artist,

I would not feel comfortable carrying a gun at school either, nor being the one to decide when and where it necessitated shooting. That being said, I am no opposed to a school officer, or off duty policeman working in my building.

Not everyone would I am sure. But the cop thing in the schools seems to work so far in Jonesboro...a year or two after the shooting they started to want to cut the cops out of the budget for the schools...idiots! How soon they forget until there is another and we remember all too well how fragile our situation is.

The name is Ginger.