Well' date=' at least your honest. That's about the way it is, your side won't give credence to anything we post and vice versa. Most have their mind made up. I just feel the side I support is factual and not driven by emotion and misinformation.[/quote']

 

In the end it comes down to the fact that more guns in schools in schools equals more opportunities for shootings in schools. Teachers are not immune from mental illness. Students aren't either. Having the access to a firearm in the very place we want to be a safe environment defies logic. It's based on the assumption that the only threats to that safety are outside the walls of the school. I agree with proponents of gun rights that the issue was not that we have the right to own a gun but the mental health of the shooter. But the proposed solution is short-sighted in not recognizing that many in our society suffer from mental health issues and function without incident until a "trigger" is activated. We do not know when or where. Why make it that much more dangerous "inside"?

In the end it comes down to the fact that more guns in schools in schools equals more opportunities for shootings in schools. Teachers are not immune from mental illness. Students aren't either. Having the access to a firearm in the very place we want to be a safe environment defies logic. It's based on the assumption that the only threats to that safety are outside the walls of the school. I agree with proponents of gun rights that the issue was not that we have the right to own a gun but the mental health of the shooter. But the proposed solution is short-sighted in not recognizing that many in our society suffer from mental health issues and function without incident until a "trigger" is activated. We do not know when or where. Why make it that much more dangerous "inside"?

Like TB&G stated, they should have to undergo frequent mental health evaluations. As for the kids getting the guns, proper safeguards could easily be implemented. If you don't like teachers being armed, then trained security could suffice. Either way, unless we can 100% fortify schools, I don't know what else would work. I do understand your concerns though, rockmom. Hopefully our government can come up with a logical, reasonable solution.

Well, at least your honest. That's about the way it is, your side won't give credence to anything we post and vice versa. Most have their mind made up. I just feel the side I support is factual and not driven by emotion and misinformation.

:thumb:

Like TB&G stated' date=' they should have to undergo frequent mental health evaluations. As for the kids getting the guns, proper safeguards could easily be implemented. If you don't like teachers being armed, then trained security could suffice. Either way, unless we can 100% fortify schools, I don't know what else would work. I do understand your concerns though, rockmom. Hopefully our government can come up with a logical, reasonable solution.[/quote']

 

I'd have more faith in the mental health evaluation suggestion if it were a requirement for gun ownership as a whole. I put NO faith in relying in the safeguards as already it is assumed that gun owners will safely store and handle their arms. Yet we consistently read and hear of guns that children got hold of and shot either themselves or another child or adult. We consider those incidents "tragic accidents". There are no automatic repercussions for not ensuring the safe storage of arms and ammunition. Most gun owners are never charged for their firearms misuse or unsafe storage. Personally, I think it's criminal negligence at the very least. But I would rather see even tougher automatic charges that would be in effect immediately. After investigation, they may in fact be found to have had no fault or at fault to a lesser degree.

Well' date=' at least your honest. That's about the way it is, your side won't give credence to anything we post and vice versa. Most have their mind made up. I just feel the side I support is factual and not driven by emotion and misinformation.[/quote']

 

One other thing, my position is not based upon on emotion. I have no problem with responsible gun ownership. I actually think the suggestion of arming teachers is an emotional, knee jerk response to the issue.

 

In the end it comes down to the fact that more guns in schools in schools equals more opportunities for shootings in schools. Teachers are not immune from mental illness. Students aren't either. Having the access to a firearm in the very place we want to be a safe environment defies logic. It's based on the assumption that the only threats to that safety are outside the walls of the school. I agree with proponents of gun rights that the issue was not that we have the right to own a gun but the mental health of the shooter. But the proposed solution is short-sighted in not recognizing that many in our society suffer from mental health issues and function without incident until a "trigger" is activated. We do not know when or where. Why make it that much more dangerous "inside"?

 

You realize if a teacher or student snaps, they will be able to get their hands on a gun regardless of whether or not there is one in the school, right? However if one does snap and no guns are allowed in the school, the honest law abiding citizens there will be sitting ducks. If they were allowed to carry to protect themselves they'd have a fighting chance.

The prospect of teachers packing heat terrifies me. The notion that three hundred million guns aren't nearly enough boggles the mind. Having more of them in the schools - with extraordinarily limited exceptions - doesn't put me at ease at all.

 

Yet another slippery slope - one which my NRA card-carrying friends would love to slide down. Child care centers next? Den mothers?

The prospect of teachers packing heat terrifies me. The notion that three hundred million guns aren't nearly enough boggles the mind. Having more of them in the schools - with extraordinarily limited exceptions - doesn't put me at ease at all.

 

Yet another slippery slope - one which my NRA card-carrying friends would love to slide down. Child care centers next? Den mothers?

 

Amen, papa!

 

Does everyone realize there are more places to buy a gun in the US than grocery stores?

I'm not sure where I stand on this issue b/c until recently I never thought much of it. I have a question for gun owners and hunters though. Would you never hunt again and give up all your hunting rifles if it meant no school would ever be attacked by a gun man again? I know it's completely hypothetical and not realistic. Just wondering if people are willing to make that sacrifice for the possibility of a safer nation?

In a completely hypothetical fantasy situation, if it would guarantee that no school shootings of innocent children would ever occur again, I would not only give up my guns, but everything I own. Without hesitation.

 

You realize if a teacher or student snaps, they will be able to get their hands on a gun regardless of whether or not there is one in the school, right? However if one does snap and no guns are allowed in the school, the honest law abiding citizens there will be sitting ducks. If they were allowed to carry to protect themselves they'd have a fighting chance.

 

So, you want theater popcorn vendors and ushers to have guns? What about the Aunt Annie's pretzel vendor? The Macy's make up girl? What about the Wal-mart stock person? Your server at Appleby's? The McDonald's counter person?

Amen, papa!

 

Does everyone realize there are more places to buy a gun in the US than grocery stores?

And? What does that have to do with anything? The same could be said for nearly every product available.

 

So, you want theater popcorn vendors and ushers to have guns? What about the Aunt Annie's pretzel vendor? The Macy's make up girl? What about the Wal-mart stock person? Your server at Appleby's? The McDonald's counter person?

 

I'm not sure if you are implying that is what I'm saying or not. But if that's the case I'm disappointed in your response.

 

And just so everyone knows, I used to be on the other side of the fence on this matter. (Ask RTS)

 

All of the things you mentioned are private businesses. If they choose to hire armed security (some actually do pay off duty police officers to be a presence), so be it. I don't think anyone should be forced to carry a firearm if they don't want to. But I think if a teacher who meets the legal requirements who is willing and able to carry a gun, should be allowed.

 

I don't have kids. But if I did, I'd want them to be in a school where someone had the ability to protect them. I wouldn't want their only hope to be that a potential shooter might not choose their room. Or that he/she might miss or run out of ammo. I'd want someone there who could fire back at the coward as soon as possible.

 

I'm not sure if you are implying that is what I'm saying or not. But if that's the case I'm disappointed in your response.

 

And just so everyone knows, I used to be on the other side of the fence on this matter. (Ask RTS)

 

All of the things you mentioned are private businesses. If they choose to hire armed security (some actually do pay off duty police officers to be a presence), so be it. I don't think anyone should be forced to carry a firearm if they don't want to. But I think if a teacher who meets the legal requirements who is willing and able to carry a gun, should be allowed.

 

I don't have kids. But if I did, I'd want them to be in a school where someone had the ability to protect them. I wouldn't want their only hope to be that a potential shooter might not choose their room. Or that he/she might miss or run out of ammo. I'd want someone there who could fire back at the coward as soon as possible.

 

My point is that arming more people in general does not not ensure safety. It actually puts people in more danger, in my opinion. It opens up doors to even more shootings...by the very people we are arming. These incidents are anomalies, not the norm. We risk losing that. My daughter in law is a teacher. She is terrified at the prospect some of her colleagues could be armed in her workplace.

So, you want theater popcorn vendors and ushers to have guns? What about the Aunt Annie's pretzel vendor? The Macy's make up girl? What about the Wal-mart stock person? Your server at Appleby's? The McDonald's counter person?

 

RM, do you think that it is a coincidence that all of the mass shooting in the past several years have occurred in "gun free" zones?

 

BTW, one of the areas that I additionally want to see addressed is stiff penalties for irresponsible gun storage which allows for kids to have access to them.

 

My point is that arming more people in general does not not ensure safety. It actually puts people in more danger, in my opinion. It opens up doors to even more shootings...by the very people we are arming. These incidents are anomalies, not the norm. We risk losing that. My daughter in law is a teacher. She is terrified at the prospect some of her colleagues could be armed in her workplace.

 

My point is arming no one ensures no ones safety. If someone attacks and no one is there to defend the school, they're sitting ducks and the shooter will do whatever they want until the police arrive.

 

If a police officer or anyone is there to fight back, the shooter then becomes distracted. Even if that person doesn't kill the shooter they just bought time for the Calvary who could be coming from miles away.