An Oregon high school teacher wants to be able to pack heat due to a restraining order against an ex-husband, who has allegedly made threats to her and her children.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070918/ts_csm/aselfdefense

If I were a parent, I could see it a lot of ways. The teacher has a right to defend herself against her potentially violent ex-husband. The teacher also has a right to defend herself against potentially violent students (at least at the high school I attended). But I can also see the concern of students attempting to steal the pistol from her (although I acknowledge it’s not as likely if she has a license, and presuming that she would keep it on her at all times).

I mean, I can understand the school’s policy of not wanting ANYONE who isn’t a law enforcement officer to bring firearms on campus. But I also can’t say that if I were the teacher that I would entrust school security to respond appropriately to my safety or that of my children and students.

Thoughts?
pusherhombre:

Excellent point. It reminds me of the scene in "Dr. Strangelove" where the Doomsday Machine is supposed to deter a world war by destroying the planet, except nobody knows about it.
I am not familiar with concealed-carry licenses, but can I assume that anybody with said license knows how to properly use the weapon and has been determined to be of sound mind and judgment?

I don’t think the article pointed out what subject she teaches, but it might be a good opportunity for a civics lesson in the value of constitutional rights and as (hopefully, but we will see) an example that not all gun owners are dangerous.
Yes, I can see security guards with nonlethal weapons would be an ideal situation. But if I had a potentially violent ex, I would not take my chances.

And if my concern for my safety caused parents to pull their children from my classes, that is their right. And if poor enrollment and low funding caused my supervisors to terminate my position, that is their right. Just as it is my right to change schools or find a job that suits me better.
All great answers. I suppose I feel that the teacher should be given a leave of absence until this situation is dealt with appropriately, as in this case her personal life is absolutely affecting her ability to perform her job effectively if she feels threatened enough to want to bring a gun to a classroom.

Reassignment will only shift the threat to another school or district, and her ex-husband WILL find out easily. That can’t be the solution.

In a lot of ways, I agree that you are ultimately responsible for your own safety. Taking into account the hundreds of teachers I have known and the thousands of students I have know, I would MUCH rather that a teacher possess a gun than a student any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Hunting, shooting and target practise are some of the most popular pastimes in the USA, but make that you learn all about the rules and regulations regarding firearms and their safe use.

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