Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 3-2-18

Local
Readers Respond To Teachers Being Armed At School
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Valentine’s Day, Febru- ary 14th, Nikolas Cruz, who had been expelled from Mar- jory Stoneman Douglas High School returned. He walked into the school, activated the fire alarm, and began shooting with an automatic weapon.
When the shooting stopped, 14 students and 3 teachers were dead. Another 14 people were injured.
Since the shooting, numer- ous suggestions have been made to prevent this type of tragedy from ever happening again. The threats range from banning all types of assault weapons to arming classroom teachers.
Some Sentinel readers shared their opinion about al- lowing teachers to be armed at school. The question of the week submitted to them was, “Do you feel teachers should be allowed to carry guns in the classroom?”
Dr. Samuel Wright said, “No! Schools
should be prop-
erly equipped
department
appropriate
funding and
training and
regulate this
situation gun
control and
use. Stop
being sold out
to the NRA and
their campaign
dollars, instead of serving the people of this country.”
Reverend Willie Dixon
to kill.”
Mrs. Bonnye Crews, a
tive citizens, not to police the school.”
Rufus Lewis said, “Hell NO! It will never work. From my 50 or more years of law en- forcement experience in the Tampa Bay area and being one of the first assigned to the Tampa Police Department School Resource Officer Pro- gram in 1975.
The Tampa Police Depart- ment assigned eight trained uniform officers to this pro- gram.
“Our jobs were to be a re- source and build a strong rap- port for the principals, staff, teachers, parents, and students and that school surrounding neighborhood and community. At first, we were met by a lot of concerned professional groups, local businesses and families. WOW! a uniformed police offi- cer on school grounds with a loaded weapon.
“The program did work well and was expanded into our high schools. Now 43 years later, I have no idea where this concept has gone. It appears today police officers are as- signed to schools for law en- forcement only.
“I would hate to see a trained, mean, bad administor or teacher with a loaded weapon on any school campus anywhere.
“So, please ignore the 45th president and the Governor of Florida for their dog whisper- ing signals to gun manufactur- ing companies and their hatred bases. The Mummy’s Thumb has been lifted and Carlos is out.”
Ed Rucker said, “No! Arming teachers is one of the worst suggestions ever! All it will do is expose teachers and students to getting shot!
“Not everyone is capable of reacting in a violent situation or willing to carry a gun much less engage in a gunfight!”
to deal with
anyone carry-
ing guns. And,
the districts
should invest in
sworn officers
to protect our
children and
staff. This proposal may cost more, but so be it. Our safety is paramount on all fronts!”
Rev. Karen Jackson Sims said, “Absolutely not! Let the police be the police. Take the military style-weapons out of public access, give the police
Ms. Dianne Hart said, “No I don’t think teachers should be armed. That is not the role of our educators. They are there to help our chil- dren learn to become produc-
DR. SAMUEL WRIGHT
said, “As a for-
mer and re-
tired school
teacher, I know
it is unwise to
allow a teacher
to possess a
gun in the
classroom or DIXON on campus of a
school. First, teachers are trained, educated and certified to teach our youth.
“Secondly, many of our youths are larger than some of their teachers. Some teacher could feel threatened when confronted by a large or loud speaking student.
“Thirdly, some teachers and students are on mind control- ling drugs. What would happen if the teacher or student forgot to take their meds? This could present another problem!”
Bishop Michelle Patty
said, Absolutely NOT! All I can see are Black males being killed because some teachers will say they were in fear for
their life. In the
BISHOP
MICHELLE wrong hands, this
MS. DIANNE HART
B. PATTY
would be a license
REV. KAREN JACKSON SIMS
MRS. BONNYE CREWS
retired school principal said, “Should teach- ers have guns at school? Ab- solutely NOT! This proposal isn’t about pro- tecting schools. It is about a greedy gun in-
Billy Wheeler said, “As a former teacher, I know the chief objec- tive of teacher training is to practice and perfect methods that will em- power students to learn. Having the students enjoy the learning experience is icing on the cake, and most people who choose this occupa- tion have a gift for shaping minds and lives for generations to come. But, requiring teach- ers to confront heavily armed degenerates who are bent on murder is beyond the scope and
pay grade of their profession. “The Republicans’ refusal to even consider a ban on assault weapons is disgraceful. Anyone other than the advantaged “1%” who aligns themselves with this party’s viewpoint is in serious need of a moral and spiritual
awakening.”
Ross Anderson said,
“NO, and NO again! Remem- ber, teachers are educators, not law en- forcement, so let them edu- cate!
“I was al- ROSS ways taught ANDERSON that you don’t fix a problem with the same thing that causes the problem. Adding more guns is not fixing the problem. This will only create other major problems within the school sys-
tems.”
REV. WILLIE
dustry taking advantage of a tragedy in order to sell more weapons.”
Danny Green said, “I don’t think teachers should be car- rying weapons in school. With these kids today they have too many other DANNY things to be GREEN worried about. I think there should have more police offi-
cers in schools.
“And those type weapons
should be banned. No one needs that type of weapon un- less he or she is in the military. They are not talking about the real issue, banning this type of weapon. Armed teacher would not solve the problem. They should use that money and give them a raise.”
BILLY WHEELER
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018