A post about protecting these kids in these schools

[sniper7]

They will have the TSA posted up at schools before you ever have a chance. just my opinion.

[DHC]

Stop making sense.

I think this takes us back to rescinding the current federal legislation prohibiting firearms on school property. Any idea on steps to accomplish this? I feel certain the NRA and RMGO and other pro-gun lobbyists have been working that angle for some time. If that is truly the answer, then it makes sense to throw the entire weight of our collective efforts behind it.

For my part, I consider the likelihood of rescinding the current legislation as slim to none, hence, seek additional alternatives - though, at the same time, am willing to help with efforts to rescind legislation beyond merely supporting NRA and RMGO that I already do. What else?

[DHC]

They will have the TSA posted up at schools before you ever have a chance. just my opinion.

As a frequent traveler, that is a scary thought indeed. What makes you think this will fall to TSA?

[Irving]

Re: People protecting themselves. YES - wholeheartedly agree for adults. Children, OTOH, need adult protection.

Re: Arming 6-year-olds. I was reading your post from the perspective of someone who opposes guns. If you read it from their perspective, the language used in your post could be misconstrued. That is all I meant to point out. I see this distortion by the anti-gun crowd quite a bit right now - which is why I mentioned it.

I know what you meant to point out. Let me clarify. Any question, or suggestion that I am advocating that 6 year-olds be armed, would be conspicuously ignored. For example, were I on some sort of news opinion show, and I was repeatedly asked to clarify whether I was suggesting to arm children, I might reply with something along the lines of, "I was under the impression that we were going to have an intelligent discussion about gun control and it appears that I was mistaken."

A few thoughts about rescinding the firearm prohibition on campuses. It rankles me to have to lock up my carry gun when I go to pick up my kids from school. To any thinking person it is painfully obvious that gun-free zones, and campuses in particular, are targeted by those intent on mass shootings. It is NOT a coincidence. Still, I think of states like AZ where anyone who is legally allowed to own a firearm is then legally allowed to carry it open or concealed. In this CT incident, the guns were legally acquired and the shooter was not prohibited from possessing them - at least, that is what I understand from the limited amount of information released so far. Had there been no prohibition against guns on campus, he would have been legally allowed to be on campus with his guns and the only thing standing between him and this tragedy would have been others who had weapons willing to take action. We will never know if the deterrent effect of knowing he might meet armed resistance on campus would have prevented this, or other, school tragedies. If so, the answer might be as simple as rescinding the school prohibition on firearms. I can't help but wonder if it is that simple.

Edit to Add: One other important consideration - even if it were as simple as rescinding current laws prohibiting guns on campuses - what is the likelihood of achieving that outcome. If, as I suspect, the odds of rescinding the laws are minimal - then what from there? What other options are available for protection of our kids? I've seen several possibilities mentioned above:

* home-schooling
* increase the SRO program to be universal. I suppose there is precedent in the TSA program for this type of 'solution.'
* armed private security
* armed teachers and staff - similar to the armed pilot program

What others?

[blacklabel]

It's interesting to see the liberal reaction to concealed weapons being allowed in schools is even more irrational than it has been in the past. I had never seen the "so you want to arm toddlers!?" retort until this year. How irrational do the anti's think we are that they'd suggest that we want to arm 6 year olds?

[Byte Stryke]

There are a lot of low cost measures that can be put in place to slow any intruder down enough that a QRF police unit could get to the school in time to have an effect.

arent they all supposed to be quick reactionary forces?

I cannot see Hicksville affording a QRF team when they can barely afford the deputy they just hired with DHS Funds.

[sniper7]

As a frequent traveler, that is a scary thought indeed. What makes you think this will fall to TSA?

TSA is a long shot, but it is more of a viable option to the government than it is to pay for private security.

Plenty of teachers would volunteer a weekend to get training to defend schools while armed. A small budget could make this Galen, even without extra pay you would stuff have teachers willing to volunteer. You already are forced to trust schools to protect your kids, now they actually have a means to do so.

[Byte Stryke]

I have giving the option of arming teachers another thought and in my opinion it is a bad idea. I know people that work in the school district and know a lot of teachers that in their opinion should not be teaching let alone have a gun. My reasoning behind this is all it would take is one unstable teacher to lose his marbles and shoot up the whole class room. I know there can be BC on people to see if they qualify to posses a handgun on school grounds but even that is not a guaranty, it would also cut down on a lot of potential applicants that would probably make good teachers (mainly talking about people that are against guns) also the teachers job is to teach. As far as as law enforcement patrolling or even being on school grounds at all times would be better than nothing, but I still think private security is a better option. As a private security guard I and or my employee's can concentrate on their only job they are assigned to which is protecting the school. I am not talking about having Rambo running around on school grounds with an M4 and full tactical gear. What I want to do is put a armed guard at the school in a patrol vehicle and mainly just have him watch the school. This guard would have a list of people who are supposed to be there and just mainly watch out for anything suspicious. Depending on the school maybe even do foot patrols every so often. My goal would be to stop anyone from entering the school that (A) should not be there (B) looks suspicious (C) stop anyone from removing any children. I have not worked out the detail nor do I even know if I can get the funding or approval, but you should be able to kind of get an idea of what I am trying to accomplish.

Public and personal safety is everyone's responsibility.
The police are not obligated to defend or protect you.