“If you had somebody armed, on the school grounds, there would have only been a few fatalities, and then the shooter would have been brought down.”
That’s what Oregon Representative Dennis Richardson said following Friday’s school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. His comments sparked a debate on our Facebook page. Some agreeing with Richardson like Glenda Albert Allen who says she would feel feel more comfortable knowing that someone could actually defend her grandchildren if their school is attacked.
But Alison Hopkins is against having guns on campus saying, “I wouldn’t send my son to school if I thought guns were in his school, nevermind if I KNEW they were.” Police have said it’s best if they handle a situation similar to the one in Connecticut, but Richardson says seconds count.
“Because we are relying on law enforcement, just stop and think about that for a second, they do a great job, but they can’t be everywhere.”
“The other thing that may complicate it is that sometimes people don’t think of is that police respond to an active shooter and they see somebody with a gun, they are probably going to assume that’s the suspect when it could just be someone trying to help,” said Lt. Mike Budreau.
Dustin Morris writes on our Facebook page that he agrees with law enforcement agencies. “Teachers and staff member of the school’s only job’s are to teach and keep the children safe!” And while Laura Compher believes teachers should be trained to use guns, she also thinks that schools should also take extra security measures like having classrooms doors securely locked after the students enter. Meantime the debate continues on what should be done trying to prepare for the possibility that what happened in Connecticut could happen anywhere.
*Facebook quotes taken as posted.
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