Should teachers carry?
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Should public school teachers carry concealed? Teachers are charged with the safety of other people's kids. But should that responsibility include being prepared to use a firearm? Is a gun a wise or practical tactical weapon in a crowded building of steel and concrete? To what extent should parents be made aware of guns in their child's school?
Thank you (from a teacher with a CFP)
Thank you (from a teacher with a CFP)
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No they are not! I am a certified teacher and have spent a lot of time in the schools. Teachers are responsible for teaching. They are instructed NOT to get involved in matters of security. If there is a fight, they are specifically told to NOT get physically involved. If the building were on fire or someone were shooting up the place, they have no obligation to get the kids out first.Kemo Sabe said:
I think 'encouraging' teachers to carry could result in some backlash politically. I just don't think it's a battle worth fighting. But, teachers should absolutely be given the ability and opportunity to carry and the state should do all it can to make this possible.
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I was going to quote something similar to this because it seems to me that the majority of teachers I have spoken with are against having guns in school at all. It will take a LOT of education to get them to see our points and such.apollosmith said:
One positive thing that W. Clark Aposhian did (or still does?) is offer CFP courses free to teachers....or at least at a VERY reduced rate. My wife is also a school teacher, and concealed carry was quite an area of contention in our relationship for a few months. It took some serious education and loving handholding to help her see the positives in carrying a concealed weapon.
Maybe more instructors need to get the word out and offer reduced courses for teachers. And even if they don't get their CFP, at least it will begin the education process.
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WOW! Do they still have firedrills? When I was in school all the way up to high school. The teachers all made sure everyone was out of the building to the best of their knowledge. Are you telling me this does not happen anymore? Is this a Utah thing or all over the US?
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We offer FREE classes to "Educators" also. We have even offered them to ALL SCHOOL FACULTY, such as janitors and anyone else that might be on a school campus during a shooting. We have had limited results with this. We also do FREE classes for Military personel.
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For the military, its free to Active, Guard/Reserve or Honorably retired military individuals..... It owuld be nice if we could just do free classes for everyone, but then how would I pay my instructors and cover our costs????? LOL :lol:
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I don’t think we should encourage teachers to carry, however I think we should support any that do and let them all know they have that option. Carrying a handgun isn’t for everyone; it is a very personal choice that has severe consequences. I do think regardless of your job (with very very few exceptions) you should be allowed to carry without fear of punishment or being shunned. There is no single choice for everyone, but everyone should be allowed to make it for themselves.
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My wife is a teacher, and she took her CFP class from Clark Aposhian. But two things have caused her to not carry at school. One, she doesn't know how she could carry a gun on her person, but she has thought about how to do that. She surely wouldn't carry openly.
Off her person wouldn't be good for lots of reasons. She's had a couple of times over the years when a kid has stolen money out of her purse, because she can't watch it every second.
The second thing is , there's no doubt she'd lose her job if it came out she had a gun.
Off her person wouldn't be good for lots of reasons. She's had a couple of times over the years when a kid has stolen money out of her purse, because she can't watch it every second.
The second thing is , there's no doubt she'd lose her job if it came out she had a gun.
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I voted 'no', but not because I don't like the idea of teachers with firearms, it had more to do with the wording of the poll. I don't think it's a good idea to 'encourage' anyone to get a firearm. I think we would be better off being good, responsible examples and educate people when they express an interest.
I think teachers should be allowed to conceal carry while at work (preferably on their person at all times to avoid students from obtaining the firearm), but I don't think encouraging or requiring is the right method.
I would hope that all people who carry a firearm take time to practice and learn techniques that will prevent loss of life, however, I know that many people have the misconception that all they need is the firearm and that's it. These are the kind of people I'm not sure I would want around anyone - especially my children - they might prove to be more of a hazard than a help.
I agree with ApolloSmith, a teacher's main purpose is to teach, but they should not be refused the right to defend themselves and those around them should an occasion arise.
I think teachers should be allowed to conceal carry while at work (preferably on their person at all times to avoid students from obtaining the firearm), but I don't think encouraging or requiring is the right method.
I would hope that all people who carry a firearm take time to practice and learn techniques that will prevent loss of life, however, I know that many people have the misconception that all they need is the firearm and that's it. These are the kind of people I'm not sure I would want around anyone - especially my children - they might prove to be more of a hazard than a help.
I agree with ApolloSmith, a teacher's main purpose is to teach, but they should not be refused the right to defend themselves and those around them should an occasion arise.
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I voted "NO"... but only due to the wording of the question. I agree with xmirage2k, that teachers shouldn't be "encouraged" to carry but should be allowed to do so and have the fullest protection under the law to do so should they make that choice.
Choosing to practice one's 2A Rights is much like choosing to practice one's 1A Rights in regards to Religion... the gov't should neither dissuade nor persuade but should instead practice a "HANDS OFF" policy.
Choosing to practice one's 2A Rights is much like choosing to practice one's 1A Rights in regards to Religion... the gov't should neither dissuade nor persuade but should instead practice a "HANDS OFF" policy.
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If the meaning of the poll was should teachers be encouraged to conceal their firearms, then this is my reply:
I think the matter of concealed or open carry is a personal one, there are obvious personal, tactical and societal advantages and disadvantages for each. People that would be scared to see a firearm on someone's hip need to grow up and learn more about what they fear; they will find that the things you should fear are the things you can't see and can't predict. Responsible members of society should not be required to tuck away their mode of defense just because it makes someone else feel uneasy, just as a person with a fluorescent pink Mohawk should not be required to put on a hat to cover up what someone else doesn't like looking at.
All these rules that do nothing to enhance safety, are enacted under that guise, but are really just put forward to make special interest groups feel better end up pissing me off.
Sorry about the language Jeff.
I think the matter of concealed or open carry is a personal one, there are obvious personal, tactical and societal advantages and disadvantages for each. People that would be scared to see a firearm on someone's hip need to grow up and learn more about what they fear; they will find that the things you should fear are the things you can't see and can't predict. Responsible members of society should not be required to tuck away their mode of defense just because it makes someone else feel uneasy, just as a person with a fluorescent pink Mohawk should not be required to put on a hat to cover up what someone else doesn't like looking at.
All these rules that do nothing to enhance safety, are enacted under that guise, but are really just put forward to make special interest groups feel better end up pissing me off.
Sorry about the language Jeff.
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We were talking about Sunday School Teachers, weren't we? :?
Tarzan
(For all of you that don't know me, that was a joke. I did carry when I was a Sundy School teacher though.)
Tarzan
(For all of you that don't know me, that was a joke. I did carry when I was a Sundy School teacher though.)
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They still do fire drills and teachers do make sure everyone is out. I'm just saying that teachers have no legal requirement to put the safety of their students above their own safety. It isn't in their job description somewhere that they must protect their students. They certainly CAN do it, but they are not required to.Shaolin said:
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Really? Last time I checked, state schools could not enact policies that contradict state law. Is there some policy against public school teacher's carrying with a permit? There certainly is no law. If there is a policy, somebody needs to contact BCI.Mjolnir said:
I work at a state university and carry every day. It's very clear that carry is allowed at higher education institutions (despite what the U administration's inability to read and understand English). Would it be any different in K-12 schools?
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As I have no kids, I didn't know what the protocol was anymore. Glad to hear it's still the same as when I was a kid. Just did not know that it was not legally required of them. I was always under the assumption that it was. Thanks for the explaination.apollosmith said:
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