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Nebraska Politician Promotes Arming Teachers

Schools should set own gun policies, state senator argues

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2011 2:58 AM CST

(Newser) – Nebraska schools would be safer places if teachers were allowed to carry concealed weapons, claims a state politician. State Sen. Mark Christensen has introduced legislation in the wake of this month's Omaha school shooting that would allow school districts to set their own gun policy subject to a vote from school boards, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

"If you have a kid come in to shoot a teacher or other kids, it’s best to have somebody that can take care of the situation," declared Christensen. Similar moves have been discussed in other states, although only one school district in the US currently allows guns in K-12 schools. With law enforcement 30 minutes away, "we are our first responders," says the superintendent of the Harrold Independent School District in rural Texas.

A memorial marks Millard South High School in Omaha, Neb., after a student shot and killed one administrator and wounded another.
A memorial marks Millard South High School in Omaha, Neb., after a student shot and killed one administrator and wounded another.   (AP Photo/Dave Weaver)
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The vast majority of teachers want to be armed with textbooks and computers to teach in the classroom—not guns. - Ken Trump, a consultant with the National School Safety and Security Services firm

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
wwwonderer
Jan 20, 2011 10:17 AM CST
Guns solve EVERYTHING. Instant violence. Just add rage
Time-waste
Jan 20, 2011 10:01 AM CST
@Cornelison: Using Columbine, it should be acknowledged that there have been multiple instances, where Ho was busy and an armed student/teacher could have acted. Further the attacker left a room and walked into another one, twice an opportunity to either be prepared and hunkered down or at least to do so after he left the first room. Remember, one teacher blocked the door with his own body and died in the process. @Dabobsta: If you don't trust teachers this far how can you send your children to this school? Or assume that police would do fine with arms? While it should be everyones own decision to carry or not, if a teacher already has a concealed carry license, has thus been vetted by the BCI and gone through an official process, why not have him/her carry at the place where most time is spent and where most lifes could benefit.
cornelison
Jan 20, 2011 9:35 AM CST
Most crimes have been committed with a gun that was legally purchased. A gun the teacher carries can be lost or stolen in the school. Hello, Columbine.

 
gun control • Nebraska • concealed weapon • school shooting • teachers • Omaha school shooting

 
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