OPINION
Teachers at Arms
In an era defined by an increase in violence, the act of arming teachers should be considered for the protection of students.
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Gone are the days when students attend school without regular intruder drills, potential lock downs, and the fear of a school shooter entering the building, looking to harm. Whenever we hear about another school being targeted and attacked, a sense of horror fills us, followed by a sense of relief because it wasn’t us, this time. As more and more stories of school shootings make the news, the fear of not making it home every time the school bell rings looms on students. This is why it’s time for schools to look into building up the figurative barrier between students and bullets. This can be done through the arming of select teachers and administrators throughout the building. Before changing the policy that allows trained and certified teachers to carry guns on school property, the stipulation of the law has to be considered. “Missouri prohibits the carrying of a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, into any school, onto any school bus, or onto the premises of any function or activity sponsored or sanctioned by school officials or the district school board,” Gifford Law Center says, citing the gun policy for Missouri. However, this law does include some loopholes. “This prohibition also does not apply to any person with a valid concealed
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BY KYLIE BURKS carry permit or endorsement (with permission from the school) or to school administrators or teachers who have been designated as school protection officers,” Gifford Law Center also stated. Based on these statements, it would be possible for Springfield Public Schools to introduce a policy allowing select teachers to carry guns. As of right now, the Springfield School Board’s stance on the subject is no. “It is not district practice to allow any staff to carry weapons outside
“I feel safe here, but I’m sure the schools where things like this have occurred said that as well,” Powers said.
of our school resource officers,” Tammi Harrington, secretary to the Superintendent said. With the present policies in place, it is not likely that this could become a reality, but the sheer matter of increased security in a dangerous world begs the question of whether this should be reversed. Although the need for extra protection in Springfield Public Schools doesn’t seem like a big issue, the risk in the United States is growing. “There have been 15 school shootings this year, 74 since 2018,” Education Week, an organization which tracks school violence, reported. Not only that, but the number of school shootings since the devastating Columbine High School massacre in 1999, the first recorded high school shooting in the United States, has increased exponentially, according to a timeline published by security.org. These statistics may feel like meer numbers on a page, since we have not had a school shooting in Springfield. Although this is true, no one knows what school will be next. Therefore, it is reasonable to implore Springfield Public Schools to consider increased security on school premises. Security already in place at Springfield high schools includes two school police officers stationed in the building. One of our school police officers is Officer Goss, and he patrols the school, making sure everyone is safe. He is not
