The subject of gun control in America has grown increasingly controversial in the past few years. As a result of the numerous school shootings, we are left with the debate of what preventive actions should be taken to better protect and secure the safety of students and teachers. Should we focus on strengthening school security with armed faculty? Or would the potential issues that could arise create more trouble than it’s worth?
We spoke to our very own Minarets High School teachers to gain insight on their personal feelings towards the idea of concealed carry in the classroom:
Ms. Urrutia - Spanish Teacher
(Question) How aware are you of the recent shootings that have taken place across the country?
(Urrutia) I am very aware, I have been following the discussions and responses online
(Q) What do you think about increased school security?
(U) School security is important and valuable for safety. But people interpret school security in ways that can affect learning environment. Often times measures to increase school security can have negative effects for students. For example, it could be hard to feel comfortable in a setting that feels like a prison.
(Q) Would you be comfortable with having a firearm in your classroom?
(U) I would not because I have no experience with firearms. I have no desire to have that be part of an environment with weapons.
(Q) How do you feel about the idea of armed faculty on school campus in general?
(U) I am not in favor, I think it would make students uncomfortable, and there’s many other different steps that we could take that would increase the wellbeing and safety of students. This gun issue needs to be protected nationwide. It’s hard to have strict security in an open campus. Guns would change the atmosphere, force fear on kids. We don’t want a school that feels like a prison. I would never want to shoot one of my students. It’s not part of who I am to inflict harm. I wouldn’t want to have to be in the position to have to shoot anyone.
Mr. Regonini - History Teacher
(Question) How aware are you of the recent shootings that have taken place across the country?
(Regonini) I am very aware.
(Q) What do you think about increased school security?
(R) School security is an important thing, but it needs to be taken care of in a more thought out process, instead of just giving everyone a gun and say it’s fixed.
(Q) Would you be comfortable with having a firearm in your classroom?
(R) I would be comfortable, but other teacher may not, not every teacher should be armed.
(Q) How do you feel about the idea of armed faculty on school campus in general?
(R) I’m okay with it if they are well trained and experienced, there should be a very strict selection process. Armed teachers could be a deterrent for someone in the right state of mind to not bring guns on campus. If the shooter is unstable, it wouldn’t change anything.
Mr. Ortiz - Media Teacher
(Question) How aware are you of the recent shootings that have taken place across the country?
(Ortiz) I keep up with what’s happening and i’m pretty well informed.
(Q) What do you think about increased school security?
(O) We should increase school security. We should at least have police on watch as a deterrent for danger.
(Q) Would you be comfortable with having a firearm in your classroom?
(O) If I had the right about of training, I would be fine. However it is definitely not for everyone. Teachers should only be armed if we could not get anyone professional. I do not think that everyone should be armed.
(Q) How do you feel about the idea of armed faculty on school campus in general?
(O) Both good and bad. If not done properly it could have negative effects. Not the best answer, would work as a last resort. If everyone knows that there is a weapon on campus it could help prevent and protect.
Mrs. Gamble - Art Teacher
(Question) How aware are you of the recent shootings that have taken place across the country?
(Gamble) I really only am aware from word of mouth and reading various articles.
(Q) What do you think about increased school security?
(G) I think it’s a good idea, may not be necessary here at Minarets.
(Q) Would you be comfortable with having a firearm in your classroom?
(G) No. I don’t have the knowledge of how to use it and the danger of them freaks me out. It would be hard to shoot a student. I think that you would need a perfect scenario to be ready to shoot.
(Q) How do you feel about the idea of armed faculty on school campus in general?
(G) I don’t mind, if the person is trained. The weapon needs to be kept somewhere secure and it might be weird at first for the students to know that their teachers have firearms in the classroom.
Regardless of personal opinion, it can be unanimously agreed that something must change; whatever we are doing has proven not to be enough. Considering the contrasting opinions of just a few of our teachers, it is unclear whether or not concealed carry would give us the peace of mind we so desperately want.