Should schools have armed staff?

2016-05-30T05:25:54-04:00

Response by SPC Nathan Barnes made May 30 at 2016 6:02 AM

2016-05-30T06:02:47-04:00

i say yes, to keep our children safe, but i do think they should have extensive training on all aspects of the subject. no loose canons

Response by SPC Chris Astin made May 30 at 2016 6:59 AM

2016-05-30T06:59:32-04:00

Yes they should -PFC Astin

Response by SPC Terry Martin made May 30 at 2016 7:23 AM

2016-05-30T07:23:58-04:00

YES! "Gun FREE Zones" do NOT work!

Response by LTC Tom Jones made May 30 at 2016 7:57 AM

2016-05-30T07:57:43-04:00

After 22 years Active Duty, i spent 26 years in the classroom split nearly equally between two high schools. I was privileged to to work with some truly extraordinary young men and women over those years but I can honestly say that there were more than a couple of times that my easy access to a weapon would not have been a good idea.

Response by SPC Alden Wayne Dumas made May 30 at 2016 10:04 AM

2016-05-30T10:04:58-04:00

All Americas should have the means to protect themselves, the 2nd is supposed to protect that right ..

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 30 at 2016 10:34 AM

2016-05-30T10:34:14-04:00

It is better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 10:53 AM

2016-05-30T10:53:27-04:00

Gun free zones have been proven to not work. Having a trained staff (not neccesarily teachers, but dedicated security) who have access to a weapon would make a harder target. I would feel safer sending a child to a school with armed security than to a school without. I personally grew up on a school campus in the Philippines that had armed security. I never felt threatened and I was never attacked on campus.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 30 at 2016 11:06 AM

2016-05-30T11:06:13-04:00

Many do. We call them a "Resource Officer."

The question is really whether the ratio should be higher and the response time should be better if "something" happens.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 12:02 PM

2016-05-30T12:02:26-04:00

Most of our schools do have armed staff. School Resource Officers unfortunately there is usually one for multiple schools and they spend most of their time at the High Schools.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 1:15 PM

2016-05-30T13:15:49-04:00

We are well informed of the consequences of not having them so, let's give the other side a try.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 1:59 PM

2016-05-30T13:59:58-04:00

I agree with other posters; most schools do have a School Resource Officer who is a sworn (therefore armed) law enforcement officer. I also agree that what needs to be taken into consideration is how many SROs for each school. Giving this a quick thought, I think each school needs an SRO and then there should also be roving SROs, who move between schools in a given district, able to provide quick backup to the stationed SRO should something happen. That way you can have double the SROs on scene while the cavalry is on its way.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made May 30 at 2016 4:02 PM

2016-05-30T16:02:04-04:00

As it was said, it's better to have it and never need it, than never have it when you need it.

As long as the people who are armed are trained in their use. Personally, I don't care who was armed as long as they are responsible in their use. I don't care if it's the teachers, principal, or resource officers.

One caveat to add though. I believe they should be concealed carried certified. This way the students shouldn't know who is armed. We wouldn't want ill intent students using the teacher's firearms against them.

Response by SGT Shawn Schweinberg made May 30 at 2016 4:40 PM

2016-05-30T16:40:54-04:00

I hate to say this. It goes against my view point. But the safety of our children are important. So yes we need armed guards posted at locations like schools.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made May 30 at 2016 9:40 PM

2016-05-30T21:40:07-04:00

https://youtu.be/H9766DFuvIQ

Put a weapon in this beleaguered lady's hand and expect a positive outcome? We need a better solution. I stand with the minority; "No."

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Response by SPC George Rudenko made May 31 at 2016 2:28 AM

2016-05-31T02:28:09-04:00

I would never say all school should have, or all schools shouldn't have. It is up to each jurisdiction.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made May 31 at 2016 10:53 AM

2016-05-31T10:53:03-04:00

A frightening prospect. OK Corral reprise?

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 31 at 2016 11:05 AM

2016-05-31T11:05:00-04:00

Both HS's I went to had full time Police Resource Officers on premises. I think that is a good compromise if you don't get the warm fuzzy from allowing teachers to be armed.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2016 2:57 PM

2016-05-31T14:57:56-04:00

I say yes, however, there needs to be training for those faculty members before they are allowed to arm themselves at work. Firearm safety, marksman, psych evals, etc.

Option two: place two or three National Guard Infantry guys on the grounds, armed and ready to go. I know my high school had 6 of them posted up after the "blood week" we had (5 shooting threats and two attempted bomb plantings)

Response by TSgt Jackie Jones made Jun 4 at 2016 12:09 AM

2016-06-04T00:09:35-04:00

And armed students. We have air marshalls. Why not school marshalls?

Response by PO1 Craig Alley made Jul 7 at 2016 1:41 PM

2016-07-07T13:41:32-04:00

They should be and the job should go to Retired Military Enlisted Law Enforcement.

Response by SGT Jamarl Jones made Feb 26 at 2018 10:56 PM

2018-02-26T22:56:52-05:00

We shouldn't have government schools at all. They are just ridiculous pseudo-gulags at this point, and primarily just pump out incompetent mouthbreathers who are barely qualified to work the deep-fryer at the local burger joint.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Mar 20 at 2018 1:06 PM

2018-03-20T13:06:44-04:00

The school system in my city has School Resource Officers (SRO) who are part of the Police Department and specially trained for that position,