Arming teachers is not the answer

Patrick Fiel is the public safety advisor, education for ADT Security Services, and a regular contributor to SecurityInfoWatch.com on issues of security and safety in educational environments.

A new idea seems to be gaining some traction in an effort to stop shootings on K-12 and college and university campuses: Arming teachers and professors.

Over the past 12 months or so, bills that would authorize teachers to carry concealed weapons in the classroom have been introduced in several states including Wisconsin, Michigan and Nevada. An Oregon high school teacher went to court to seek approval to carry her gun to school -- claiming she needed it to protect her from an abusive ex-spouse.

Several shootings on campuses in the first months of the new school year have gun lobbyists across the country calling for laws to allow teachers and staff members to arm themselves while at work.

More guns are the last thing we need on our campuses. This ill-advised idea of arming teachers could lead to more shootings with innocent people being caught in the crossfire. There would be more opportunities for guns to be stolen or taken by force; and armed teachers would be unlikely to provide much of a difference when a student gunman has the advantage of surprise.

Teachers need to concentrate primarily on their job of educating students. But they can play a role in helping to identify troubled students that need counseling or professional psychological intervention.

Teachers (and staff, too) should take every threat and student tip of potential violence seriously and fully check up on each claim, never assume that any talk of violence is just an idle threat.

And if there is an active shooter on campus, teachers and staff need to let law enforcement officials handle the situation. Police officers have been fully trained on how and when to use their weapons. They have other tactical advantages, as well as trained hostage negotiators available, if necessary.