No, this would increase the risk of accidental shootings

Put the guns in hidden, armed cases that are only available to teachers that are licensed and authorized

They would be keeping their guns in a locked cabinet where no one can accuse the without a key. I think they also should have to go thru some training or be able to pass a test to prove they know enough about their weapon.

Top Agreement

There are accidental shootings with anything, there were accidental shootings with kids just messing around. It is easy to feel threatened and use the most harmful thing near you to feel safe and try and protect yourself with. Its a dangerous idea when accidents happen even with people who don't want to use a gun.

Arming teachers raises significant concerns about accidental shootings and accidental injuries due to the presence of guns in schools. While proponents argue that arming teachers can deter active shooters, research and data suggest that this approach may actually increase risks to students and teachers.
Here's a more detailed look at the concerns:
1. Increased Risk of Accidental Shooting:
Lack of Training:
Teachers typically don't receive the same level of training as law enforcement officers, which could lead to mistakes in identifying the shooter or accidentally shooting a bystan…  Read moreder.
Misidentification:
There's a risk of misidentification, particularly with minority students, due to implicit bias or racial stereotyping.
Gun Accidents:
Gun accidents are a common concern, and children are often the victims of these accidents.
Mishandling:
There's a risk that teachers may mishandle their firearms, leading to accidents or students finding the weapons.
2. Risks in an Active Shooter Situation:
Increased Risk to Teachers: Engaging in a confrontation with an active shooter puts teachers at a higher risk of death, especially if the shooter is better trained or has more firepower.
Risk of Being Mistaken for the Shooter: First responders may mistake an armed teacher for the active shooter.
Effectiveness Questioned: Research suggests that arming teachers may not be an effective solution to stop active shooter incidents.
3. Alternative Approaches:
Evidence-Based Solutions:
There are many known, evidence-based solutions to address school violence, including focusing on mental health support, improving school climate, and implementing safety protocols.
Preventing Violence:
A public health perspective emphasizes prevention, which includes addressing the root causes of violence and reducing access to firearms.
Data and Statistics:
Everytown Research & Policy:
Everytown Research & Policy has identified 720 incidents of gunfire on school grounds from 2013-2022, including gun homicides, assaults, suicides, and attempts, and unintentional shootings.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES):
NCES data shows that there were 328 casualties (131 killed and 197 wounded) in active shooter incidents at elementary and secondary schools from 2000 through 2022, according to the Digest of Education Statistics 2023, table 228.15.
RAND Corporation:
RAND Corporation's research suggests that arming teachers does not meaningfully protect against school shootings.
Studies:
Several studies have found that the presence of guns in schools increases the risk of accidental shootings and injuries, according to the American Bar Association.
Conclusion:
While there are arguments for arming teachers, the data and research suggest that this approach introduces significant risks and may not be an effective solution for preventing school shootings. It is important to consider alternative approaches that are supported by evidence and focus on prevention.

Many shooters have taken guns from parents or people they know. How would making it more accessible to kids help the issue?

Teachers are meant to be trusted adults to students. Knowing that the teacher has a firearm makes some students uncomfortable and that trust is broken. They also have plenty to be concerned with throughout the day, the added stress of knowing they may need to use the firearm is one that many do not want to endure.

teachers do not need to be armed, they are their to teach and protect their students and providing a gun to a teacher could endanger the students and the teacher

458 accidental shooting deaths in the US in 2019. This would increase massively if teachers had guns.

As long as the teachers are taught properly how to handle a firearm there is no risk to this situation whatsoever

With teachers being inexperienced, and depending on how young the students are they should not be exposed to this violence. Plus it’s a school they should only be teaching and if necessary, have trained security at the school.

The shootings would double, and since it would be legal teachers would be prone to more gun violence plus the shootings would be more common. This would only raise controversy in America. its consistent gun violence and stereotypes would be worse. It would lead us to have a bad reputation that American schools would be feared.

A high school teacher — a reserve police officer — accidentally discharged his gun during a lesson at Seaside High School in Seaside, Calif., on Tuesday.

It's already easy for people to get their hands on guns and to bring them into school which we can obviously see as of late so why would we want to make it even easier and literally at their fingertips, if that teacher is off guard for one second that could put lives at risk.

There are accidental shootings with anything, there were accidental shootings with kids just messing around. It is easy to feel threatened and use the most harmful thing near you to feel safe and try and protect yourself with. Its a dangerous idea when accidents happen even with people who don't want to use a gun.

The teacher has it in a locked draw that kids can't get to. The teacher only grabs it in the situation,But the teacher will be able to defend their class before the cops arrive.

Anybody possessing a gun can make errors, 492 people unintentionally die by gun in an average year so with that imagine every teacher owning a gun.

All it takes is for a smaller kid to pull the weapon off of the teacher or if the teacher forgets to lock the drawer it's in, it can be easily obtained.

It could be misused as a scare tactic or be used my a student, or accidentally used by the teacher or student. And besides, teachers should not be made to feel responsible of this and have to undertake even more work and responsibility than they already have. And Gun Control reform would infinitely more helpful than giving more guns to more people.

Having teachers carrying a gun is irresponsible and unsafe. The teacher's desk is not always occupied by the owner of the gun. Having people who are trained in school shooting scenarios are far safer. This is because students who cannot get a gun legally do not have access to a gun via the teacher's desk.

The presence of firearms in schools increases the risk of accidental discharges or unauthorized access to weapons by students or unauthorized personnel. This could lead to unintentional harm and potentially catastrophic consequences.

Teachers would be trained and the guns would be put into a space that no child could get into (perhaps a safe or lock box??)

Teachers should not be allowed to carry guns at school because this would increase the risk of school shootings and this would also increase the death rate of kids in school because school shootings are the number one reason for student deaths.

The teachers would be properly trained, wouldn't take it off of their person, or would have it securely locked away from access of children. Guns don't magically fire themselves, they need a user or mechanism set up by someone, and yes, it might be possible if the gun's hammer gets hit by something it could fire a round, but they shouldn't have a live round loaded into the chamber.

If teacher were armed it would actually reduce school shootings. Teachers could deal with threats immediately without having to wait for the police. If the teachers are properly licensed and trained, there shouldn't be any accidents.

Armed teachers are just straight dangerous. How would the teachers know how to use the guns? Who did they learn from? What could happen if there was a bad accident?

Teachers with guns will only happen under strict background checks on the teacher to ensure the utmost safety.

If their is conflict between students in the school and all teachers are armed all a student has to do is get one and it can lead to a student getting shot, the same can be said about a teacher that losses their temper with a student.

Teachers could become angry and use the gun on a student or students, and students could steal it and use it not understanding how dangerous guns are (this mainly applies to elementary and middle school but high schoolers aren't immune to being this dumb)

I feel it can cause a shooting and threat to everyone in the building incase of a major issue if it goes off due to possibly hitting the trigger or the lock not working correctly and could make the teacher use it to take advantage of how the students react

Teachers will not be showing around the gun especially to kids. But I do think they should do a background check on the teachers before letting them bring in a gun to protect. If they don't allow teachers to bring in guns to "protect" then they need to up their security.

Accidental shootings, even with kids playing, can make people feel threatened and use harmful objects to feel safe, making it a dangerous idea even for those who don't want to use guns.

some teachers are not mentally well and their methods of teaching may increase likelihood of shootings. the fact of weapons in every class room is a drastic safety hazard even if all teachers are trained to the military level on how to use them

Train any teachers willing to carry and make sure it is extra safe. Don't show your weapon to the students, don't scare the students by letting them know you have one. Keep it safe in your desk to where only you as a teacher can find it. Additionally, train the teachers in gun control classes and armed defense classes. Make sure the correct teachers have the correct background for a gun.

With the use of a fire arm teachers could protect their studens and them selves from the rising crisis of school shootings.

You should make all the teachers take a class on how to wield a gun, but we should not reveal who is the teacher who has a gun.

As long as the firearm is out of sight and only makes an appearance when needed most. Lock it up and keep close to only the teacher, or don't tell the students it's in the room.

No because if students know that their teachers are actively carrying a gun it could cause mass panic between students and parents. Also, having armed teachers could cause an accidental shooting.

With every teacher professionally trained and the fact that the teachers would not be unsupervised with cameras in the room required in order for the teacher to be allowed a gun and a constant update on their location and the status of their gun.

the idea of arming teachers or loosening state restrictions carry permit holders to bring guns into school- is often.

Teachers will go through many class to be prepared for situations and they will have the weapon locked up in a safe.

Teachers are constantly endangered at school. It wouldn’t be easy for a teacher to be certified for a fire arm, we can trust them.

No, they aren´t trained to make decisions that a cop would in situation like a school shooting, police who have training with firearms are the ones that should keep a firearm

The weapon can be used to scare students into behaving, teaching both a violent way of doing things to young students, while also giving easier gun access to people not physically or emotionally responsible to use this.

Studies have demonstrated that introducing firearms into schools can significantly increase the risk of accidental shootings, posing a direct threat to students, as most educators lack the specialized training and experience required to safely manage firearms in the school environment.

Only specifically trained people should have these if a teacher is professionally trained and these types of scenarios and have a strict background check along with a mental check to ensure safety and to ensure that it is kept in a protected place

if a teacher isn't able to complete basic testing and training in regards to their carry they shouldn't carry.

I think you as a teacher can put the gun in a safe box and when there is a shooting you should be able to take it out and fight for your students life and yours .

Teachers are very busy and could easily be careless with their control and a student could steal their gun. Or they aren't well trained and a teacher could misfire on a student.

if a teacher was armed, this could also lead to making the students feel disconneted from the teacher. because the teacher has a lot of power in their hand (the gun), they could be seen as an authority figure and not an authoratitive figure.

Students are more likely to interact with teachers than trained security staff. They often get physical with teachers as well. A teacher having a gun on then is a risk to all in the event that they are not able to keep a level head.

With proper precaution and rules that need to be followed like the gun being concealed correctly and safely and being trained properly.

It's just common sense is it not? Most school shooters are students, there would be many more if everyone had access to a gun, and giving teachers a gun would give every student access to a gun. Also my comment on crazy teachers too.

In households with firearms for self defense, the most likely person to be shot is a member of the household.

If teachers had firearms in school during school shootings then they could stop the situation before it escalates.

They have to go through training to carry. They should be taught practical training and the responsibilities that come with this action.

teacher that their to keep the students safe by they see the students for one year or more they are the friendliest people that are their for the students

Armed teachers would provide much more protection amongst institutions of education. However, the teachers who are armed should have very low calber firearms, and should also be trained/have a verified liscense to hold them. The safety of these firearms shall also always be on, and they shall be kept away from students.

possibly a teacher would threaten a kid with the gun and accidentally pull the trigger or even some teachers can be trigger happy and can cause a huge accident

Teachers are citizens, as citizens in an institution with many mentally ill youth, they have the right to protect themselves from threats of a similar force.

I believe "accidental shootings" are not really caused by teachers misfiring a weapon, as teachers went to school for all of those years, they should learn maturity and learn in gun classes on how and when to use their gun.

A large number of people every year are killed from gun accidents. Children, especially teenagers, are some of the most accident prone individuals in the entirely of society. Having a loaded firearm present around accident prone individuals is not a good idea.

if teachers were armed in general it would decrease the danger of shooters heavily as long as they have training with their firearm

It is every citizens right and duty to educate, train, and prepare themselves to use their firearms in a safe and effective manner. The chances would of course be greater than zero however, the only way to reduce loss of life during a shooting is to eliminate the threat immediately. "A good guy with a gun stops a bad guy with a gun." School resource officers, for example, are only the first targets for active shooter, they are a know "good guy with a gun." Whereas any teacher being allowed to carry would be a deterrent to potential shooters, anyone could be carrying.

Teachers are citizens, as citizens in an institution with many mentally ill youth, they have the right to protect themselves from threats of a similar force.

We would Train the teachers properly to use and carry a gun just as we do cops as they also are responsible for the lives of young kids and others.

If you put the armed weapon in a locked cabinet or on the teachers person out of site, accidental shootings won’t happen.

Evidence of this is the recent rise of accidental shootings either through the cops not being mentally stable enough to be calm in a gun-to-gun situation or because of them being biased.

Guns cause harm and people can cause harm, so having a weapon in a school facility would be dangerous no matter if they are adults.

if teachers carry guns they need to take classes and get a background check to be as safe as possible

Our teachers are there to educate our children yes they have the means to protect them to the best of their abilities but they risk so much involving their lives. We need to have a better lockdown for schools and provide better security for the schools such as bullet proof windows, cameras emergency dial for law enforcement and have security officers at school to limit threats

If teachers are allowed to go to school bearing their own arms voluntarily, they most certainly know how to handle a firearm.

I disagree, First of all the teachers need to have a very clean history and proper training. If a weapon were to be allowed in a classroom for protection reasons only, it should be locked in a cabinet, empty and on safety

what if they got training so then that doesn't happen, I mean the military doesn't have this problem because they have training

Students or teachers shouldn't have to be a meat shield at any time. This is what happens when there are little immediate consequences to opening fire on a group of helpless people. If there are guns at school, more than just the resource officer (if he even has one), there will be less possibility of a shooting. Most shooters are cowards in a way and go after the people that can't fight back. If their opponents have guns, they will second guess their decisions.

it could be because some students could find it and play with it or they might want to steal it but id say we should not let thew students know we carry a weapon

If the teacher's aren't trained correctly, or the teachers don't pay attention to where they conceal their firearm, that can become a serious issue. Especially with younger children.

Proper training can handle that easily, and school shootings will be far, FAR less common, and end more quickly if and when they do occur.

The teachers that would be armed would be trained on how to use it and what to do. The weapon would also be kept somewhere safe.