Should teachers be allowed to pack a gun?
Interesting story. I'm pulling for the teacher!!
Ashland, Ore. - In court documents, she's known as "Jane Doe." Innocuous enough, but the woman behind that pseudonym pushes one of the nation's hottest political buttons: guns and school safety.
What Ms. Doe wants to do is take her Glock 9-mm pistol to the high school in Medford, Ore., where she teaches.
She's licensed to carry a concealed weapon and she has what many supporters say is a legitimate reason for being armed: a restraining order against her ex-husband based on threats he's allegedly made against her and her children.
But district policy prohibits anyone except a law-enforcement officer from bringing a weapon onto campus. When word got out that she had a concealed-carry permit, administrators reminded her of that policy. There's the political rub: According to state law, "any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition, is vested solely in the Legislative Assembly."
Backed by gun-rights groups, Doe intends to challenge the school district in state court this week. Meanwhile throughout the country, lawmakers are filing bills that would make it legal for adult school employees to carry firearms, in some cases providing special weapons safety training for those who want to be part of their school's security force in addition to their classroom teaching duties.
Gun-rights groups and school boards around the country are paying close attention to the Oregon case.
"There's a specific state statute that prohibits local governments, including school districts, from passing laws or policies prohibiting people from owning or possessing firearms," says James Leuenberger, the Portland, Ore., lawyer representing the teacher.
"Jane Doe," who agreed to be interviewed by phone on condition of anonymity, says she does not want to be viewed as an "Annie Oakley." Trying to extricate herself from an abusive relationship led her to buy her first gun just a few years ago, she says. Prior to that she had not been an activist in defense of the US Constitution's Second Amendment provision regarding "the right to keep and bear arms."
But as a veteran teacher, she has come to believe strongly that having responsible armed adults on campus could have prevented tragedies such as those at Columbine High School in Colorado, Thurston High School in Oregon, and Virginia Tech University last April.
"I have no doubt at all that any time a criminal has gone into a school intending to commit violence they did so knowing nobody was going to be able to stop them," she says. "We've seen what happens when teachers do nothing or can do nothing, and that's not acceptable to me."
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 37 states have laws specifically banning guns at schools. In general, administrators, teachers' organizations, and law-enforcement agencies favor such laws. In the confusion of a school shooting, police officials have said, adding guns to the situation just makes the predicament more dangerous.
The state panel investigating the April 16 shootings by a mentally disturbed student who killed 33 people at Virginia Tech University (the nation's deadliest school shooting) agrees.
"If numerous people had been rushing around with handguns . the possibility of accidental or mistaken shootings would have increased significantly," the panel wrote.
But that has not stopped a push by the NRA and other gun advocates to allow guns on school property as a safety measure.
In Michigan last week, 16 state lawmakers sponsored legislation allowing teachers, administrators, and other school employees to carry concealed weapons on school property. Ohio has a similar bill pending.South Carolina, Alabama, and Virginia are among several other states that have considered lifting school campus gun bans this year, according to Stateline.org, which tracks state issues.
Louisiana lawmakers refused to pass a bill that would have outlawed guns in college dormitories, and legislators in Maine similarly killed a bill that would have given colleges the authority to prohibit guns on campuses.
Anthony Stavros, a member of the Nevada State Board of Regents governing higher education and a Las Vegas police captain, has proposed deputizing university employees as reserve officers, trained and qualified to carry weapons. The Iowa Board of Regents is close to allowing campus police to be armed.
But efforts to allow guns in grade schools and high schools tend not to get very far in state legislatures. The South Carolina measure failed. Administrators and the state teachers' union in Michigan have voiced strong opposition to the proposal there.
So far, just one state - Utah - allows concealed weapons on campus. Utah's law applies to public colleges and universities. The University of Utah opposed the 2004 legislation that allows weapons on campus (including those owned by students with concealed carry permits), but lost in the state supreme court.
For high school teacher "Jane Doe," who takes her case to court this week, the issue is very personal.
"I have two children in school," she says, "and I would like to think that if something like that ever happened, there would be somebody there to do the right thing to protect my kids."
Ashland, Ore. - In court documents, she's known as "Jane Doe." Innocuous enough, but the woman behind that pseudonym pushes one of the nation's hottest political buttons: guns and school safety.
What Ms. Doe wants to do is take her Glock 9-mm pistol to the high school in Medford, Ore., where she teaches.
She's licensed to carry a concealed weapon and she has what many supporters say is a legitimate reason for being armed: a restraining order against her ex-husband based on threats he's allegedly made against her and her children.
But district policy prohibits anyone except a law-enforcement officer from bringing a weapon onto campus. When word got out that she had a concealed-carry permit, administrators reminded her of that policy. There's the political rub: According to state law, "any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition, is vested solely in the Legislative Assembly."
Backed by gun-rights groups, Doe intends to challenge the school district in state court this week. Meanwhile throughout the country, lawmakers are filing bills that would make it legal for adult school employees to carry firearms, in some cases providing special weapons safety training for those who want to be part of their school's security force in addition to their classroom teaching duties.
Gun-rights groups and school boards around the country are paying close attention to the Oregon case.
"There's a specific state statute that prohibits local governments, including school districts, from passing laws or policies prohibiting people from owning or possessing firearms," says James Leuenberger, the Portland, Ore., lawyer representing the teacher.
"Jane Doe," who agreed to be interviewed by phone on condition of anonymity, says she does not want to be viewed as an "Annie Oakley." Trying to extricate herself from an abusive relationship led her to buy her first gun just a few years ago, she says. Prior to that she had not been an activist in defense of the US Constitution's Second Amendment provision regarding "the right to keep and bear arms."
But as a veteran teacher, she has come to believe strongly that having responsible armed adults on campus could have prevented tragedies such as those at Columbine High School in Colorado, Thurston High School in Oregon, and Virginia Tech University last April.
"I have no doubt at all that any time a criminal has gone into a school intending to commit violence they did so knowing nobody was going to be able to stop them," she says. "We've seen what happens when teachers do nothing or can do nothing, and that's not acceptable to me."
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 37 states have laws specifically banning guns at schools. In general, administrators, teachers' organizations, and law-enforcement agencies favor such laws. In the confusion of a school shooting, police officials have said, adding guns to the situation just makes the predicament more dangerous.
The state panel investigating the April 16 shootings by a mentally disturbed student who killed 33 people at Virginia Tech University (the nation's deadliest school shooting) agrees.
"If numerous people had been rushing around with handguns . the possibility of accidental or mistaken shootings would have increased significantly," the panel wrote.
But that has not stopped a push by the NRA and other gun advocates to allow guns on school property as a safety measure.
In Michigan last week, 16 state lawmakers sponsored legislation allowing teachers, administrators, and other school employees to carry concealed weapons on school property. Ohio has a similar bill pending.South Carolina, Alabama, and Virginia are among several other states that have considered lifting school campus gun bans this year, according to Stateline.org, which tracks state issues.
Louisiana lawmakers refused to pass a bill that would have outlawed guns in college dormitories, and legislators in Maine similarly killed a bill that would have given colleges the authority to prohibit guns on campuses.
Anthony Stavros, a member of the Nevada State Board of Regents governing higher education and a Las Vegas police captain, has proposed deputizing university employees as reserve officers, trained and qualified to carry weapons. The Iowa Board of Regents is close to allowing campus police to be armed.
But efforts to allow guns in grade schools and high schools tend not to get very far in state legislatures. The South Carolina measure failed. Administrators and the state teachers' union in Michigan have voiced strong opposition to the proposal there.
So far, just one state - Utah - allows concealed weapons on campus. Utah's law applies to public colleges and universities. The University of Utah opposed the 2004 legislation that allows weapons on campus (including those owned by students with concealed carry permits), but lost in the state supreme court.
For high school teacher "Jane Doe," who takes her case to court this week, the issue is very personal.
"I have two children in school," she says, "and I would like to think that if something like that ever happened, there would be somebody there to do the right thing to protect my kids."
0
-
Most of us know how the Israelis solved their school terrorism problems. There are many sane, civil and law-abiding citizens who expect the government, i.e. the laws, the courts and the police, to fully defend and protect them against criminals, particularly the violent ones. For them, it is a leap of faith made IN GOOD FAITH.
There is a mental and emotional deferment of one's personal safety to those who are in power, made in exchange for the forfeiture of protecting oneself with a gun, knife, etc. And, as we have learned, the police do not generally prevent crime, they respond during or afterwards.0 -
Hopefully this will have some positive results. 0 -
"oh no call 911" the swat team shows up 10min and finally solves the problem after a 3 hour standoff.
teacher trained extensively in firearms see perp walk in and limits situation to minimal casualties swat team show up 10 min later anyways.
i dont believe students should be allowed to carry a gun as this may causes delays while police hold everyone carrying as they might be a potential suspect. but teachers should be able to have a pistol safe with a biometric lock0 -
If she or any other teacher custodian etc is properly trained and has a permit to carry they most definantly should not be hindered from carrying at school or anywhere else. My 2 cents! 0 -
My answer to the title: yes. teachers and anybody with CCW permit, with a reason to be in the school, should be allowed to carry. 0 -
Go Jane Doe.......GO 0 -
"Should teachers be allowed to pack a gun?" Yes, if they qualify. 0 -
they have my full suport 0 -
well, oregon also allows people with a CHP to carry in schools, the rub with this teacher is that she is an employee of the school district and would violate their policy by possesing a firearm.
i live in oregon so this is kinda a big deal around here, i am a college student in the state and people seem suprised when i tell them i carry a gun every day to school.0 -
quote: people seem suprised when i tell them i carry a gun every day to school.
Not real sure I would tell anyone that I carried. IMHO...that is why they call it "concealed."0 -
quote:Originally posted by iluvguns
Should teachers be allowed to pack a gun?
As long as they pass the background checks, I have no problem with it. The one drawback I see is they could get ganged up on by a group of students and the gun fall into the wrong hands. But, if a big enough group was going to do that and take the gun away, the teacher should empty it first......in their direction![}:)]0 -
well, its not people at school that i tell, just friends that know me 0 -
All I can say is about darn time, just wait thought it wont pass...
Anyone with a carry license should be allowed to carry in schools zones.0 -
when I was in 7th grade we busted into our english teachers desk.
We thought she was a nut job, and we thought we would find some wisky.
Well not only was there a half a pint, but also a .38 revolver.
We shut the drawer and sat back down. she came back in a few minuts later.. Nothing was ever said!
that was in the mid 80's0 -
Teachers should absolutely have guns...Some of the most trusted kids in class should have guns to...Then this crasy kid slaughter the classmates thinggy ,should become history really quick i believe. 0 -
Most teachers are idiots, incapable of completing an entire sentence without reference to written text.
The days of ol' Coach Woodbine dragging out his 44-40 to start a race are over; most teachers nowadays wouldn't know which end of the gun to point at an intruder, nor would they have the grit to use one.
Aside from the Federal law (thanks, Slick Willie) that prohibits guns within 1000' of a school, and the hundreds of local, county and State laws mirroring this effort; the school districts are populated by morons that care more about skimming lunch money from the Gov't. and avoiding lawsuits. She'll never get the chance.0 -
"...shall not be infringed upon." 0 -
the bigger more important question is, should we force our children to be institutionalized by the state? 0 -
...2nd does not apply when one crosses into liberal sancuaries such as schools...can't think of a better reason to arm every qualified teacher...[;)] 
0 -
H3ll YA 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ECC
"...shall not be infringed upon."
There ya have it folks!!0 -
Most teachers are liberals.Point one the teachers them selves started the zero tolerance crap.If a student has a pocket knife in his car he can be thrown out of school.Point number three most teachers don't want the cops in school to carry guns.I think the old saying about what goes around comes around has bit the teachers that want to carry guns in school has struck.In simple words if a student can't have a pocket knive in the car,a cop can't have a gun in school, why should a teacher be able to carry a gun? 0 -
A Michigan rep has introduced a bill to allow school personnel to carry if approved by the school board and the superintendent. It probably won't pass-but it should! 0 -
First off, I would not advertise that I carried a concealed weapon on a school campus.
Second, If I was a teacher, I would carry a concealed weapon on a school campus.
Too many insane non-custodial parents hurting their kids and copycat killers wanting their 15 minutes of fame running around not to.0 -
If I were a teacher in a public school in this country, I would be armed at work, and I would wear body armor. I wouldn't ask; I'd just do it and say nothing.
That said, if I never have to set foot in a public school building again, it is all right with me.0 -
If you're a fascist totalitarian, then the answer is no.
If you believe in the Constitution like myself, then the answer is yes.0 -
quote:Originally posted by victorlvlb
Most teachers are liberals.Point one the teachers them selves started the zero tolerance crap.If a student has a pocket knife in his car he can be thrown out of school.Point number three most teachers don't want the cops in school to carry guns.I think the old saying about what goes around comes around has bit the teachers that want to carry guns in school has struck.In simple words if a student can't have a pocket knive in the car,a cop can't have a gun in school, why should a teacher be able to carry a gun?
You are very misinformed. Teachers don't make the rules for the schools. Either the State does and the school board. Teachers don't have a say whether a Police Officer carries their weapon in school. Teachers someday may have the option to carry within the school grounds should law pass that allow them to. To carry without permission on a school grounds is a felony in this state regardless if your a Teacher or a visitor. I always leave my guns at home prior to visiting the school. Personally I think it is a joke to even consider having a Teacher armed in a classroom. The liability incurred by the school district and the person carrying will far outweigh the law passing. The day my wife needs a firearm in the classroom to teach is the day she no longer teaches. ( her exact words )0 -
Maybe they don't get to make all the rules, but most teachers ARE liberal, and most are very uncomfortable with the notion of a gun on campus. We ran into this snag when we were trying to get our SRO program started. Lots of them wanted a cop, but no gun. We told them it was a package deal, and reluctantly, they accepted. This wasn't "the State," nor was it the school board, nor was it the administration. It was a committee of senior teachers and one administrator. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
quote:Originally posted by victorlvlb
Most teachers are liberals.Point one the teachers them selves started the zero tolerance crap.If a student has a pocket knife in his car he can be thrown out of school.Point number three most teachers don't want the cops in school to carry guns.I think the old saying about what goes around comes around has bit the teachers that want to carry guns in school has struck.In simple words if a student can't have a pocket knive in the car,a cop can't have a gun in school, why should a teacher be able to carry a gun?
You are very misinformed. Teachers don't make the rules for the schools. Either the State does and the school board. Teachers don't have a say whether a Police Officer carries their weapon in school. Teachers someday may have the option to carry within the school grounds should law pass that allow them to. To carry without permission on a school grounds is a felony in this state regardless if your a Teacher or a visitor. I always leave my guns at home prior to visiting the school. Personally I think it is a joke to even consider having a Teacher armed in a classroom. The liability incurred by the school district and the person carrying will far outweigh the law passing. The day my wife needs a firearm in the classroom to teach is the day she no longer teaches. ( her exact words )
After Columbine, your wife should have retired then. Seriously.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
99 comments