The town of Harrold, Texas made headlines when the district decided to allow some teachers bring concealed weapons to school. This tiny town 180 miles from Dallas educates 100 students. There are two dozen teachers. But a lane highway runs through the town and the police did shut down a drug-producing laboratory near school property according to an article in USA Today. The county sheriff’s office is 17 miles away and the district cannot afford to hire police officers.
Texas gun laws ban weapons on school property but the State Legislature allows school board to permit people with concealed handgun licenses to carry weapons. Texas Governor Rick Perry supports the decision.
Exactly how dangerous are schools? According to www.schoolsecurity.org there have been 2 shooting deaths in the 2008-2009 school year. In the past 10 years there have been 117 shooting deaths – that averages 11 per year. But the number has decreased in the past 3 years.
Do you think teachers should be allowed to carry guns on campus? Do you feel that even though they have undergone training, they pose a threat to school safety? Would you want to work in a school district that permitted teachers to carry guns? Send your responses to [email protected]
Till next time.