After the horrific mass shooting that occurred at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida two weeks ago, there has been serious discussions about gun control happening.
Recently, President Trump has talked about banning bump stocks, an attachment that allows semi automatic rifles to mimic the firing rate of a fully automatic weapon. The weapons the gunman used in the Las Vegas mass shooting were modified with bump stocks.
There has also been talk of raising the minimum age for purchasing rifles to twenty-one years old. In some states, such as Minnesota, a person as young as fourteen years old can purchase a rifle. Many Republicans, including President Trump, agree on raising the federal age limit for purchasing rifles.
While these are all steps in the right direction, there are still some things that are being said that are unconventional. Most notably, Trump suggested that teachers should have and train with firearms to protect their students in situations like these.
The president said at least twenty percent of U.S. public school teachers would be armed and trained. He wants schools to become a “hardened target.”
Not only are there a lot of ethical problems with this “solution,” but there are also financial problems. Supplying schools with firearms and the training of staff members would be a very costly manner. The president would also like to award armed teachers with bonuses, which would add to the financial problem.
If this becomes a reality, and students are aware their teacher is armed, what would stop them from trying to steal that firearm? What would stop another faculty member, or other thieves, from stealing a gun?
With firearms already in the schools, it could lead to more mass shootings. There is also a possibility of an unintentional or accidental discharge. Accidents happen all the time, but when it involves firearms and children, it is safe not to take any risks.
There is also the fact that most Black kids in America are afraid of law enforcement, and rightly so. There have been far too many incidents where police have gunned down innocent Black people, which, in turn, has created a divide between law enforcement and the Black community.
Students should be able to trust educators and feel safe at school. The Xavierite staff thinks arming teachers would result in feelings of unsafety and uncertainty in students.
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