Armed Schools

[Sgt7330]

The task of placing police in each school throughout our nation isnt feasible. Institute a program of selecting teachers/school staff who will meet good training requirements. Set up this process with an application and screening process, but make it one of reward for the staff that make the process. Incentive would be more pay, first off.
High quality training not just from police, but go across the board and get military and civilian schooling from our top experts in the country. Weapon retention, concealment, shooting, response to threats and active shooter scenarios. Implement an initial training basic school and then have regular training at least every other month, if not monthly.
Train a number of people in our schools that are willing and able to make the grade. They are there...... former military, police, civilians with shooting backgrounds and those that want to learn.

 

[CopperWires]

We have designated first-aid responders, we should definitely have trained designated defense. The training is key. Maybe they should have some tactical training as well so they know how the SWAT team will move since that will usually be the response from the outside in these situations.

 

[CopperWires]

Maybe but 28 dead is a bit much IMO.

I agree with you.

 

[THard6]

my aunt is a teacher.. if she was issued a gun.. Lord please help us all!

 

[pierce195]

I'm all for arming and training school staff members to protect the children and themselves. The only problem I see is if there are other schools like the one my daughter goes to. I could see a very limited number of staff members that could handle this duty. I feel the more armed and trained the better as confirming the threat and buying time are very important in these types of situations. Something as to be done now and just the threat of being confronted will keep most of these sick people from targeting our schools.

 

[sepe]

I'd feel much safer if I had 5 women of the IDF around me and armed at all times. Brunettes only and 5' to 5'5 please.

 

[eric001]

I'd say the very first step is to eliminate the prohibition against firearms in schools--it doesn't make them safer, but definitely makes them target-rich environments for psychos. Now, whether or not there should be a "school firearm safety" training or endorsement for employees as some kind of incentive ought to be up to the school, but just having teachers & staff (and visiting parents!) who have their LTCH on campus with their firearms--probably CC to avoid all those 5 yr old girls and such--would certainly help curb these mass killings.

Criminals and psychopaths will never respect laws, no matter who passes those laws.
These same people might or might not respect police forces, but response time is a major issue. On the other hand, not knowing who might be armed and able to defend themselves and others effectively might well make them pause and look for easier targets.

 

[sepe]

I'd say the very first step is to eliminate the prohibition against firearms in schools--it doesn't make them safer, but definitely makes them target-rich environments for psychos. Now, whether or not there should be a "school firearm safety" training or endorsement for employees as some kind of incentive ought to be up to the school, but just having teachers & staff (and visiting parents!) who have their LTCH on campus with their firearms--probably CC to avoid all those 5 yr old girls and such--would certainly help curb these mass killings.

Criminals and psychopaths will never respect laws, no matter who passes those laws.
These same people might or might not respect police forces, but response time is a major issue. On the other hand, not knowing who might be armed and able to defend themselves and others effectively might well make them pause and look for easier targets.

I spent some time trying to convey that message to several people on Facebook last night. They seem to let knee-jerk reactions take over and then the stupid sets in.

 

[ArmedProgrammer]

my aunt is a teacher.. if she was issued a gun.. Lord please help us all!

I'm all for arming and training school staff members to protect the children and themselves. The only problem I see is if there are other schools like the one my daughter goes to. I could see a very limited number of staff members that could handle this duty. I feel the more armed and trained the better as confirming the threat and buying time are very important in these types of situations. Something as to be done now and just the threat of being confronted will keep most of these sick people from targeting our schools.

Just like in the rest of society WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY to hire a cop on every corner - nor make a cop out of every teacher. Just as in the rest of society - let the volunteers do it. It will happen! I don't hear LTCH holders yelling for more cops on every corner right??? That's because they have taken responsibility for their own safety! Let the teachers that want to do it, do the same. Just as in the rest of society. IT WILL WORK....

 

[GIJEW]

There are armed officers in many, if not all, of the schools in Marion County. Now that IPD and MCSD have merged, the 2nd largest police agency in Indianapolis is the Indpls Public Schools Police. Not counting the incorporated towns of Speedway, Beech Grove, and Lawrence, Pike Township Schools may be third.

In spite of that, you have to go looking to find them. The grade school my son went to almost never had officers on site except when it was time to direct traffic before and after school--however they DID have pathetic "run and hide" drills.
I'm mad enough to spit nails at the sissy-limosine-"liberals" who've led the sheeple around by the nose, and criminalized self defense wherever/however they can.

 

[downzero]

I had a conversation with someone about this months ago, excepted I included students of age that have their LTCH. That's when I found out they were a bleeding heart liberal.

Their heart must not bleed too much for the victims of these sorts of events if they want them to face this sort of danger with no reasonable means of defending themselves.

 

[T4rdV4rk]

It seems to me that the two big hitters for arming faculty members are that it could be implemented in a relatively small amount of time and more cost effectively than the alternatives of hiring more personnel. It's possible there are better solutions than arming the faculty, but that's beside the point. This is something we can do now.

Side question - How many more shootings are we going to have to see for people to get over the stigmas associated with guns and realize the only defense is to arm themselves?

 

[45calibre]

more goverment is not the answer.

 

[ArmedProgrammer]

more goverment is not the answer.

^^^^^^ Exactly.... ^^^^

Government just needs to get the heck out of the way.

 

[Liberty1911]

How about anyone that is legally allowed to own a firearm be allowed to carry on school property instead of creating another class of people.

THIS!

Why should a lawfully armed citizen be denied access anywhere?

 

[marcweid]

There are armed officers in many, if not all, of the schools in Marion County. Now that IPD and MCSD have merged, the 2nd largest police agency in Indianapolis is the Indpls Public Schools Police. Not counting the incorporated towns of Speedway, Beech Grove, and Lawrence, Pike Township Schools may be third.

This may be true to a point but for the totally wrong reason. I went to Pike and have several friends teaching there. While there is a Pike police force it is alomost always limited to the high school and the surrounding middle and elementary school. And these cops are really there for protection from students. Which is why they are normally only at the highschool and some middle. Generally speaking an elementary doesn't have very threating children.

I saw them arrest countless students when I was there for drugs, guns, fights, etc.

 

[CopperWires]

How many random parents are at a school during school hours? I think they should allow parents to carry in the school but there needs to be permanent defense there during all hours of operation.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Why not just hire a few off duty LEO's? IPL does it to guard sub-stations when copper thefts are up, I think the schools could probably do it, too.

Arming faculty is fine IF they are also trained. Self-defense is one thing and the basics can be grasped with very limited training, but active shooter response requires training of a higher order, and good scenario based training with lots of role players. Frankly, most PDs don't practice this enough. Other than combat veterans, few people can really understand the chaos that an in progress shooting is and how quickly your senses get overwhelmed.

Friendly fire is a very real situation with multiple plain clothes folks armed. I'm a detective and when I respond to a call that isn't already secured by uniformed officers I give a description of myself and my clothing over the air. Anyone armed in the school needs to have coordinated training with the PD, communications with the PD, etc.

Frankly, schools should be hardened targets. The doors should be locked and difficult to breach, parents and vendors should meet in a vestibule, and there should be a cadre of armed security on site. Hire a force protection specialist, let them analyze the building and then listen to the recommendations.

 

[hookedonjeep]

I've been thinking a lot about this. I work in a school. We have an officer most of the time. I know that several staff members have their LTCH. I'm not sure I like the idea of removing the felony status of the general public carrying on school property, I do like the idea of teachers/administrators being able to choose to carry with a license. I had heard at one time it was legal in Arkansas. I haven't researched it though.

What exactly bothers you about the general public being able to bring a gun to school? I for one fully support the idea of lawful, concealed carry into schools. Whether it is administrators, teachers, staff in general; or even parents who have come to pick up their kids - there should be no restriction on where one can lawfully carry. That is how the body counts end up so high - no active resistance, because it is a "Gun Free Zone". In this latest escapade, the shooter broke through a window to avoid coming through possible metal detectors, or from being seen too early. He had every intention of racking up the count..... that being said, which would you rather have - criminals who have no respect for the law, for your life or those lives around you, or for that matter for even themselves..... or teachers, administrators, faculty and parents ready to stand and protect that which is most sacred - life?

 

[bsoberg]

my wife is a teacher she would carry if they would let them. they shoud offer a traning class for all teachers.