School Violence - Specifically Guns and Schools

[cyco668]

The are several other forums touching this issue, but no current ones directly addressing it.

Should people be able to CCW handguns in and around public schools?

Other than 2nd Amendments rights, why or why not should people carry in public schools?
To start up discussion and heat thing up a lil, I'll start off with this: from July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002, there were 38 school related violent deaths. The deaths occured while the victims were in school, traveling to and from school, or at a school sponsored event. The victims included students (ages 5-19), staff, and others who were not students. 17 of these deaths were homicide; 5 were suicide (student victims). Away from school, during the same time period, 2,036 youths (5-19) were homicides victims. During calendar year 2002, 5 youths commited suicide at school; 1,772 youths commited suicide away from school.
In the 2003 school year, 150,000 students (12-18) were the victims of serious violent crimes in school. 320,000 students were victims of serious violent crimes away from school.

Are the current laws adequately protecting our students at school? Will changing the current laws make the student safer, put them at risk, or not make any difference at all? Do these stats prove that, as far as youths are concerned, "where the guns are is where the murders are"; or not because other available statistics counter or contradict these figures? Other than firearms, how can school security be enhanced? Are guns even an issue at all in any of this?

Final poll: who wishes there was a spellcheck and grammar checker here? I know i could use one!

source of my figures: http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/

 

[MachIVshooter]

While a determined criminal is all but impossible to ward off, allowing school staff and parents with CCW permits to carry on school property would at least give them a fighting chance.

Some folks have gone as far as to suggest that we arm all teachers and staff. This is a horrible idea. Carrying a firearm is a personal decision and a huge commitment. Forcing someone who is uncomfortable with it is not going to help that person and may even put them in greater danger. While I detest the liberal mantra that "citizens are more likely to have their own gun used against them", someone who is not comfortable using a firearm for self defense probably is better off without one. pulling that trigger is a life and death decision, and one needs conviction to assume the responsibility that they may one day be faced with this decision. A gun is a tool, just like a saw or any other mechanical implement; without the will to use it, it is useless. Without knowledge and training in it's use, it can be dangerous to the operator and others.

So I say that if school staff or a parent want to carry and have taken the initiative to get their CCW, let them. But don't try to force it on someone who is unwilling.

 

[ramis]

Click on the little abc check mark thing in the upper right corner for spell check.

ramis