nerdasdasd
Dont.msg.me.about.english
TEACHERS have been given permission to carry guns in the classroom in the US state of Texas.
The Levelland Independent School District (ISD) board this morning voted in favour of arming teachers "after extensive research and a series of meetings" ISD Superintendant Kelly Baggett told America's ABC News.
The decision was a direct response to the mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
"How do you describe a tragedy like that? It's devastating," Mr Baggett told ABC News.
"It absolutely instilled fear in all of us and made us take a hard look at where we are with our safety and security."
Under the new policy, teachers would first need to obtain a concealed-handgun license and pass a gun-training course.
Details relating to the training course were not disclosed but the Texas State Legislature is considering establishing standards for firearms training for public school employees.
"Not every teacher in Levelland is going to carry a gun to campus," Mr Baggett said. "It will be certain individuals that I and the school approve. The training is paramount. It's absolutely the most important thing.".
While the law currently does not allow handguns on public school property, a legal loophole exists that enables school boards to authorise concealed handguns with the blessing of a school attorney.
The Levelland ISD comprises 3,000 students and 485 staff members across eight campuses. The plan was to arm two employees per campus.
"For the most part, we are getting very, very nice compliments and encouragement and positive remarks from our community members and they are applauding us for taking a stand and doing what we are doing," Mr Baggett said.
But he conceded it was "a shame" teachers had to be armed at all.
"I have reservations about putting weapons in employees' hands," he said.
"We are trained educators and it's a shame that it's gotten to the point in society that we are having to arm our school employees to protect their kids. But my philosophy is I want to do everything I can to protect our kids."
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/pa...om/story-fngqim8m-1226608409700#ixzz2Oo71afEP
The Levelland Independent School District (ISD) board this morning voted in favour of arming teachers "after extensive research and a series of meetings" ISD Superintendant Kelly Baggett told America's ABC News.
The decision was a direct response to the mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
"How do you describe a tragedy like that? It's devastating," Mr Baggett told ABC News.
"It absolutely instilled fear in all of us and made us take a hard look at where we are with our safety and security."
Under the new policy, teachers would first need to obtain a concealed-handgun license and pass a gun-training course.
Details relating to the training course were not disclosed but the Texas State Legislature is considering establishing standards for firearms training for public school employees.
"Not every teacher in Levelland is going to carry a gun to campus," Mr Baggett said. "It will be certain individuals that I and the school approve. The training is paramount. It's absolutely the most important thing.".
While the law currently does not allow handguns on public school property, a legal loophole exists that enables school boards to authorise concealed handguns with the blessing of a school attorney.
The Levelland ISD comprises 3,000 students and 485 staff members across eight campuses. The plan was to arm two employees per campus.
"For the most part, we are getting very, very nice compliments and encouragement and positive remarks from our community members and they are applauding us for taking a stand and doing what we are doing," Mr Baggett said.
But he conceded it was "a shame" teachers had to be armed at all.
"I have reservations about putting weapons in employees' hands," he said.
"We are trained educators and it's a shame that it's gotten to the point in society that we are having to arm our school employees to protect their kids. But my philosophy is I want to do everything I can to protect our kids."
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/pa...om/story-fngqim8m-1226608409700#ixzz2Oo71afEP