My View: Teachers with guns is a crazy idea
By LZ Granderson, CNN contributor
Editor's note: LZ Granderson, who writes a weekly column for CNN.com, was named journalist of the year by the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association and is a 2011 Online Journalism Award finalist for commentary. He is a senior writer and columnist for ESPN the Magazine and ESPN.com. Follow him on Twitter: @locs_n_laughs
Grand Rapids, Michigan (CNN) - I wish I were surprised that Texas Gov. Rick Perry doesn't see a problem with concealed weapons in schools, but after watching his failed bid for the presidency, the truth is there's very little that man can say that will truly surprise me.
"If you have been duly back-grounded and trained and you are a concealed handgun license-carrying individual, you should be able to carry your handgun anywhere in this state," Perry said at a tea party event held on Monday.
It seems his line of reasoning is in line with some of his gun-loving brethren who believe if teachers and principals are armed, tragedies like the one in Newtown would go away.
It's as if he thinks "Rambo" is a documentary.
In a country with fewer than 350 million people but more than 310 million guns, we don't need more of them. We need fewer. And when it comes to our schools, we don't need guns at all.
So it's very fortunate that Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder had the good sense to veto Michigan Senate Bill 59 on Tuesday. The proposed law would have allowed people with permits to carry concealed weapons and with extra training, to bring their guns to traditional "gun-free" zones such as day care centers and schools. And by "extra training," the bill called for an additional eight hours and another 94 rounds on the firing range.
It was approved the day before the shootings in Newtown.
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On Monday - while Perry was encouraging guns in schools - a letter signed by all 21 superintendents in my county was sent to Gov. Snyder asking him to veto the bill because, unlike the gun-happy politicians who rammed the legislation through in a lame duck session, educators do not believe guns in schools are a good thing.
I have yet to hear a teacher who has survived a massacre advocate for guns in schools.
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We must not allow these gun manufacturing corporations to capitalize/gain on such terrible incident, instead we shall enlist the fathers and mothers that are our of work to patrol and man camera systems of the Perimeters of each school in every district in America. This way we don't allow our teachers the distractions that should be unwanted them, while these unemployed Parents are ensuring that their children are safe and their schools are secured we would have then worked together in order to know that we will have a Future. If we are to arm our teachers the Gun Corporations shall supply the guns and ammo free of charge. (for it was their product that is the matter of discussion)
The probable existence of a gun in a location is a deterrent. Knowledge that there will definitely be no guns at a location is an incentive. The argument about having armed teachers or principals is stupid, but what about off-duty or even active-duty police officers? Not even in all schools at all times. Just the possibility of one being in the school is a deterrent. The Air Marshals use the possibility of their existence as a deterrent all the time. Let's get past the stupid argument and have a discussion that actually requires a brain.
What would be more of a deterrent?..A sign that says, educational staff is trained and armed with firearms to protect students?..Or a sign on school property that says, firearms and knifes prohibited on school property...YOU DECEID
what about giving them taser guns like the police have
Forget that, let's put bullet proof doors and glass in the schools, and maybe a gun turret by the front door, and teachers wearing those extra bullets in belts slung around each shoulder, I'm not sure what you call them. I'll tell you though little Billy won't be sassing the teachers anymore. Finish it off with a M-1 Tank in the parking lot. That's probably a good start. You know when your dealing with guns, its easier to deal with if you add more guns, Governor Perry should just stay away from school policy, perhaps at the next PTA meeting they could put a rule on the books now, called the Rick Perry rule. It should state that all school boards should have a restraining order for Perry no closer then half a mile to any education center. Jack*ss!