Ore. lawmaker says teachers should be allowed guns
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon lawmaker contends the massacre that left more than two dozen people dead at a Connecticut elementary school is another "heartbreaking failure" of school personnel to ensure protection, and is a reminder that teachers should be allowed to carry guns in the classroom.
State Rep. Dennis Richardson, a Central Point Republican, wrote in an email to three southern Oregon school superintendents that gun bans on school property must be overturned, the Mail Tribune newspaper reported Saturday.
"If I had been a teacher or the principal at the Sandy Hook Elementary School and if the school district did not preclude me from having access to a firearm, either by concealed carry or locked in my desk, most of the murdered children would still be alive, and the gunman would still be dead, and not by suicide," he wrote.
When contacted by phone, Richardson added that he believes at least three officials in every school should be trained in the use of firearms.
In 2009, the Medford School District barred a South Medford High School teacher from bringing her gun to school. The teacher later lost a court appeal case.
"We need to ensure that our children are safe, and we can't do that by disarming those who are on the scene," Richardson said.
Medford police Chief Tim George disagreed with Richardson, saying that it's not the responsibility of teachers to make deadly force decisions on the job.
"Teachers don't go into teaching to be police officers, they want to teach kids," George said. "In crisis situations there are a lot of very complex things happening all at once and you have to constantly train for deadly force incidents."
Medford schools Superintendent Phil Long, who received the email from Richardson, said he believes it's best if teachers focus on getting children to safety if a shooting occurs. The district trains its staff in lockdown procedures meant to protect children from violence on school grounds.
Long said the district called attention to those safety procedures in the wake of the Connecticut tragedy. Employees were reminded of where to go and what to do should such a situation occur in Medford.
"I know (Richardson) is well-intentioned when he says this," Long said. "But we can't jump to conclusions immediately after a tragedy like this occurs."
State Rep. Dennis Richardson, a Central Point Republican, wrote in an email to three southern Oregon school superintendents that gun bans on school property must be overturned, the Mail Tribune newspaper reported Saturday.
"If I had been a teacher or the principal at the Sandy Hook Elementary School and if the school district did not preclude me from having access to a firearm, either by concealed carry or locked in my desk, most of the murdered children would still be alive, and the gunman would still be dead, and not by suicide," he wrote.
When contacted by phone, Richardson added that he believes at least three officials in every school should be trained in the use of firearms.
In 2009, the Medford School District barred a South Medford High School teacher from bringing her gun to school. The teacher later lost a court appeal case.
"We need to ensure that our children are safe, and we can't do that by disarming those who are on the scene," Richardson said.
Medford police Chief Tim George disagreed with Richardson, saying that it's not the responsibility of teachers to make deadly force decisions on the job.
"Teachers don't go into teaching to be police officers, they want to teach kids," George said. "In crisis situations there are a lot of very complex things happening all at once and you have to constantly train for deadly force incidents."
Medford schools Superintendent Phil Long, who received the email from Richardson, said he believes it's best if teachers focus on getting children to safety if a shooting occurs. The district trains its staff in lockdown procedures meant to protect children from violence on school grounds.
Long said the district called attention to those safety procedures in the wake of the Connecticut tragedy. Employees were reminded of where to go and what to do should such a situation occur in Medford.
"I know (Richardson) is well-intentioned when he says this," Long said. "But we can't jump to conclusions immediately after a tragedy like this occurs."
Phil Long seems as though he's not a deep thinker. Â What does training children to hide in closets have to do with their safety? Â Let's all chip in and get Phil a library card. Â Then he can learn that most of the evil-doers already know the school and probably were part of those useless safety drills. Â Nothing like doing something to make it appear as though you've done something of value!
Here we go again â the debate over gun control. The shootings of school children is completely incomprehensible and heartbreaking. In fact the killing of anybody, except in self defense is deplorable. There have been several shootings in schools, theatres and malls by madmen. It is apparent gun control or bans do not work and never will work. Criminals and unstable people are not concerned about the laws or the harm they cause other people. Such people will always exist. The police can not protect you at the moment you need protection. They can only respond after a situation has occurred. People are giving up the right to lawfully and effectively protect themselves from attacks of violence in the hope the violence will quit. That is a pipe dream. I believe we need to go in an opposite direction from excessive gun control. Gun control makes some people feel safer but in fact it makes them more vulnerable. We need to make sure law abiding citizens have the means, the training and the knowledge to protect themselves. Encourage law abiding citizens to arm themselves so they can protect themselves. Pass laws that prevent establishments from banning firearms on their premises. Anytime you enter a facility that does not allow firearms on their premises you become a sitting duck for a mad man. The NRA always comes under attack for opposing gun laws. The NRA exists to protect your right to carry a firearm for protection. They conduct gun classes to teach safety and the proper use of a firearm to protect yourself. They exist for the benefit of law abiding citizens, not criminals. Support them, they are protecting your rights!!!! I believe things would have been different at the latest school shooting if the teachers had proper training on firearm use and were armed. How many lives could have been saved if someone had the means to stop the shooter. I have no doubt lives would still have been lost in the shooting but I believe the number of killings would have been much less. Hiding under a desk or in a corner and praying you wonât be killed is no protection at all. I believe law abiding citizens could have reduced the death toll at other massacres too if they had been carrying a firearm for protection. Citizens need to take responsibility to protect themselves. Buy a gun, take a gun class and carry the gun with you! I believe madmen and criminals would have second thoughts about committing a crime knowing that the establishment they enter will have people carrying firearms for protection. When you are trying to hide from a gunman, and praying not to be killed, I wonder if you will be glad you gave up your right to protect yourself? I may die trying to protect myself but at least I will have a chance of survival. I might even save the life of someone who wanted to take away my gun rights.
And how are the going to carry the gun? Hip holster? Desk drawer? Does this ill-conceived plan include provisions for marksmanship training and regular practice? Keep in mind that cops have both training and practice, and still often miss what they're shooting at. Reality isn't like Hollywood where someone hits with every bullet, never misses or hits a bystander, and each bullet is a sure kill.
I'm a Vietnam vet, and I'd rather not live in a society where survival depends on getting the drop on your neighbors. Perhaps it's time to get serious about gun control? After all, we license driver and register cars, yet we don't hear the auto club screaming that it's a plot to take away our cars.
the headline would be today , man kills mom, goes to school and gets shot. sounds like a better headline to me . i agree, the more armed citizens we have , the less damage the bad guys can do.
 @S D If I had school age children, I would never let them go to a school where the teacher has a gun! Perhaps armed guards, but not teachers!!!!!