TexasCHLforum.com

Blindref757 wrote:A first year teacher is in no way adequately prepared for what they encounter in the schools. They learn OJT for their first 4-5 years before they are truly difference makers and 10 years before they are masters of their trade. I'm guessing that cops are the same way. A rookie has the training, but lacks the street smarts to know when to hold em and when to fold em. In just about any job, you have a learning curve. How many of you would want to have open heart surgery by a kid who just got out of med school last week? Would your opinion change if he was the only doctor available for whatever reason?

The OP said that his objection to teachers with CHL in the classroom is due to lack of training. As a lifelong learner, I would dedicate myself to getting that training. I think others would too. This is not for everyone...but for those who are truly dedicated to the concept. You see, as a teacher who spends 8 hours a day with my students (4th Grade), I love them in a very similar way that I love my own kids. Without these students, I have no purpose in life. I have been called to this profession by a higher authority. I currently attend multiple continuing ed courses to improve my skills in teaching them. I spend countless hours on the computer at home reading blogs, connecting with other educators across the world, and searching for projects that they will love doing and learn the things I need them to know in the process. I watched the Sandy Hook news coverage for 3 days...with tears streaming down my face for most of that time. I didn't see 18 dead 1st graders in CT, I saw 20 dead 4th graders in Texas. I cannot imagine the grief of losing my students...any students at my school.

I have a CHL and my weapon is locked in a box in my car every day when I enter the building. I shoot IDPA when I can (3-4 times a year). I practice static at the range about 8 times a year (its all I can afford). How much more training do I need to be qualified to engage an active shooter who enters my locked classroom door?

I only support CONCEALED ON BODY carry by teachers. I think that they should be trained beyond the CHL requirements. I'm ok with the constraints that the gun only be deployed in the presence of another gun. I don't think this should be a discussion about 2nd amendment or gun rights, it should be centrally focused on stopping mass killing--not fisticuff encounters. I don't pretend to have all of the answers. I'm plenty open to others ideas. This forum is a great learning tool...I'm very thankful for all of the support and learning that I've received the past couple of years here!

anygunanywhere wrote:Dac1842, how many times have innocent bystanders been shot by LEO?

Your argument is really fallatious and too broad. It lumps all teachers into the same category of not being responsible enough to carry a firearm at all. You could apply the same logic to LEO since there are undoubtedly many examples off LEO shooting innocent bystanders.

If citizens (teachers) cannot be trusted with firearms then no one can, not even LEO.

Your argument came right out of the anti's playbook.

Anygunanywhere

dac1842 wrote:Good morning. I knew when I wrote this that there would be disagreement. I still stand by my position. In my opinion the correct response to the increase in school shootings is to place a police officer in the schools.
A few people compared this to other scenarios such as church shootings. I am carry in church as well, but again, unless my life or that of someone in my immediate vicinity is in danger I am taking a defensive position and not actively pursuing a suspect. Why? Our church has a safety/security team. They are all off duty police officers, except for the one uniformed officer present. They have a response plan that does not, and will not include CHL. Why not? Simple, the response plan is practiced for several different scenarios and responses. None of the CHL holders have been involved in that response. Having folks not familiar with the plans complicates matters. The exact same reason why if there is shooting in a mall, once the police get on scene they really don't want CHL holders involved. Our team tells CHL holders to defend yourself, but stay down and out of the way, we don't want someone mistaking you for a gunman, especially once the on duty police start to arrive. The team at our church have ID badges that makes them identifiable.

To clarify one point. A few that responded compared my not wanting teachers to carry to many other professions not carrying. Here is the difference, when it is a one on one situation such as a clerk in a store, taxi driver in a taxi, etc, I have no issue. However, when the environment is anyplace where there are hundreds of bystanders such as a school, church, or mall type setting I do not feel that a CHL holder has the proper training, except for strictly defending yourself or those in a your immediate area, to respond to that event. I am not saying you should not defend yourself, I am against having people start looking for shooter, that creates more problems than it does solutions.

Again folks, just my opinion. Be safe.