Up in Arms: Guns and School Violence
The U.
S.
collectively mourned the deaths of children and teachers in the recent Newtown, Connecticut, shootings.
United in grief and empathy for those directly affected, social media sites lit up like a Times Square New Year with prayers, tears, grief, charity and love, directed to those involved.
Children, parents, and sympathetic citizens signed cards, drew pictures, raised money, and did their very best to put smiles back on the survivors.
It took only a matter of hours before the shouts on each side of the gun debate became screams, and I noticed people lining up, similar to the recent political election positions in both passion and division, about how to fix this mess we've made.
Governments from Virginia and Tennessee, and probably many other states, had promises from governors and senators that proposals to arm teachers and administrations would appear on agendas immediately after the holiday break.
The NRA announced that allowing, perhaps even requiring, some teachers and administration to carry a weapon as the "best way to protect children from gun violence".
The social workers, not to be outshouted, also presented their case, calling for counseling and screening procedures that allow more intensive interaction with kids on the edge.
Many argue that engaging more guns will do nothing to stop the violence, especially if one decides to use an entirely different method of destruction, such as a truck filled with explosives.
Others argue that schools need to be protected and prepared, openly declaring to anyone interested in starting up a gunfight that fire will be met with fire.
Parents are worried.
Teachers are angry.
Legislators are trying to appease their constituents.
Judges are trying to interpret a Constitution written for a civilization grown way beyond the seams of that colonial garment.
The civilized world is appalled.
What is the answer? Will installing marshals in schools, or requiring certain teachers, staff and administrators to carry guns, save lives? Or will it take more? It is a very serious, very critical matter, protecting our schools.
Whether it requires teachers and administrators to be trained and required to carry guns is an entirely different matter.
The discussion has a lot to dovetail into the heart of the matter, including mental health treatment, counseling, respect, education, and hope, along with courage to do the right thing.
Where it will all lead depends on our input as citizens.
Now might be a very good time to get involved and let legislators know what we are thinking, and let our students know we are doing more than wringing our hands and wrangling with our opposition.
Kids need our help and government needs our input.
Let's find a way to give it.
S.
collectively mourned the deaths of children and teachers in the recent Newtown, Connecticut, shootings.
United in grief and empathy for those directly affected, social media sites lit up like a Times Square New Year with prayers, tears, grief, charity and love, directed to those involved.
Children, parents, and sympathetic citizens signed cards, drew pictures, raised money, and did their very best to put smiles back on the survivors.
It took only a matter of hours before the shouts on each side of the gun debate became screams, and I noticed people lining up, similar to the recent political election positions in both passion and division, about how to fix this mess we've made.
Governments from Virginia and Tennessee, and probably many other states, had promises from governors and senators that proposals to arm teachers and administrations would appear on agendas immediately after the holiday break.
The NRA announced that allowing, perhaps even requiring, some teachers and administration to carry a weapon as the "best way to protect children from gun violence".
The social workers, not to be outshouted, also presented their case, calling for counseling and screening procedures that allow more intensive interaction with kids on the edge.
Many argue that engaging more guns will do nothing to stop the violence, especially if one decides to use an entirely different method of destruction, such as a truck filled with explosives.
Others argue that schools need to be protected and prepared, openly declaring to anyone interested in starting up a gunfight that fire will be met with fire.
Parents are worried.
Teachers are angry.
Legislators are trying to appease their constituents.
Judges are trying to interpret a Constitution written for a civilization grown way beyond the seams of that colonial garment.
The civilized world is appalled.
What is the answer? Will installing marshals in schools, or requiring certain teachers, staff and administrators to carry guns, save lives? Or will it take more? It is a very serious, very critical matter, protecting our schools.
Whether it requires teachers and administrators to be trained and required to carry guns is an entirely different matter.
The discussion has a lot to dovetail into the heart of the matter, including mental health treatment, counseling, respect, education, and hope, along with courage to do the right thing.
Where it will all lead depends on our input as citizens.
Now might be a very good time to get involved and let legislators know what we are thinking, and let our students know we are doing more than wringing our hands and wrangling with our opposition.
Kids need our help and government needs our input.
Let's find a way to give it.
Source...