Israel has teachers that open carry M-16s, look it up, I trust teachers with my kids, I trust them with a gun.

Israel has teachers that pack M-16s in the classroom, look it up, I trust teachers with my kids ,I trust them to carry, Act 235 is a training course that they can take, I did, its well worth it..

I highly doubt that the teacher unions would go for that idea. However, the time is NOW for the police School Resource Officer to return.

I agree 110%%!

It looks like it has come to this...I don't like it but, yes, better the militia than the school staff to handle the situation...It's not in their (teachers') job description.

A person may love or hate the NRA but this is the most calm and possible solution to
protecting the teachers and children in our schools.
Tom Cushman

The biggest problem with the NRA is that they are just as much to blame as our society as a whole. I agree that there are video games, movies, etc. that are terribly violent but maybe parents should try to regulate what movies/games their kids play. I understand its inevitable that a kid would be exposed to this without the parents knowledge, so maybe some parents should talk more to their kids.
The NRA saying "kill or be killed" and instilling fear is just as bad or worse than games, etc. Games and movies are pretend. "Next time you hear glass break".... how many times do they shoot out of fear? Killing someone innocent. Majority of deaths with guns in homes are accidental. Carrying a gun puts you, and our children, more at risk than not.

1st question. Who will pay for these armed guards? Nobody wants more taxes, but they want more services. I doubt people are going to volunteer for these positions without pay. I think a more sensible solution would be to give each teacher a taser. Less chances of someone getting accidentally killed, and knowing that the school is loaded with tasers will probably make people who want to shoot up a school think twice since they won't get very far before somone tases them. This also eliminates their ability to kill themselves afterwards instead of going to prison for their atrocities.

So rather than addressing the root cause of the problem: ie, unfettered access to high-capacity, high powered weapons of war (that serve no legitimate purpose other than to kill other human beings in a quick and efficient manner) by people with mental incapacities, the answer is to arm teachers and put a cop in every school? That defies logic, when the cheaper and more reasonable solution is to simply put into place a uniform, nationalized system of background checks whereby people with mental incapacities cannot get access to guns. You have to take 3 tests to be allowed to drive a car (eyesight/physical, written and practical), yet any window licking idiot can walk out of a Walmart with an M-4 with 100 round magazine without having to show much more than a drivers license.

Who is going to pay for this expansion of government power to train and arm schoolteachers and place a cop in every classroom? Why is it that the NRA despises expansion of government powers unless it means more guns?

I think we should arm the kids - hell, my 3 year old plays with a toy gun, I'm gonna have him train with a real one! Whose to say the teacher won't go nuts with their gun, kids have a right to defend theirselves.

Don't know if this is the "best answer", but no one can argue that unprotected schools a notoriously "soft targets" where anyone with malicious intent KNOWS they can attack unchallenged by what little security might exist. And this matters not whether the attacker has a gun, a knife, a bomb, a biologic ...

In the absence of the world suddenly becoming enlightened with "treating one's brother as you would like to be treated", we MUST do somethingS to fix this. Declaring a school a "gun-free zone" is simply meaningless.

"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun" What a true statement. I only wish these good guys would start shooting back. The police can't be everywhere 100% of the time. It still puzzles me that no "good guys" were standing in that crowd in Arizona when Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot along with many others. Really? In Arizona? Everybody has a gun in Arizona! Does anyone remember the killing in Phoenixville of the 16 year old girl in her home right across the street from the High School? That happened right behind my house. I felt the gunshots they were so close. My first reaction? I grabbed my gun and started heading to the house. My wife stopped me. I wish she didn't because it still haunts me to this day that I could have done something. Then the police showed up and I was really angry that they did nothing but surround the house and wait for Philadelphia SWAT. Are you kidding me? I am nothing but a normal citizen and I would have rushed that house. Hours went by and I know in my heart that the girl could have been saved if they had reacted swiftly.

I like this idea. Copycats are sure to follow, looking for their moments of fame. If one or two of them were shot, the pictures of their corpse might deter others. Perhaps for a year or two, until the mentally-ill look for other avenues to express their anger.

Marple Newtown used to have armed security at their schools. Now that school shootings are common they decide to get rid of them?

I strongly support this in junior highs and high schools, because there it is mostly kids killing other kids.

We have armed guards in our stadiums, airports, banks, and protecting our politicians but for some reason some people think our kids are not worthy of armed guards? Politicians are already calling the NRA's idea "reckless", but it isn't reckless to protect stadiums, airports, malls, power plants and politicians with armed guards? A bunch of drunk Eagles fans are worthy of armed protection, but my children aren't?!?!?!???????? How about we take all of the money that is being wasted on the "war on drugs" and use it to make sure no more children are murdered in our schools? Then also use the tax revenue from marijuana sales to fund programs to help the people with mental issues that might someday try to commit a crime such as what happened in Newtown, CT?

The Liberals will say it's not feasable.

Every day we hear about veterans coming home to record unemployment,why not just leave them on active duty status, retain their military pay grade, and post them at schools. This would not require the hiring of new police nor ( I think ) would have a significant impact monetarily. I believe the opposite would be most likely since all the unemployed veterans would than BE employed thus putting money back into the economy that they would not otherwise have.

I use to work in a local middle school that had armed school police. I would often say no one needs to bring a gun to school just take one from the school police officer. They were your classic soft target.

would the teachers be paid double their salary since they will be doing possible "police" work as well? also who will pay for the gun and training?

We need weapons that were meant for war off the streets. The NRA was once an organization that was concerned with gun safety, but has been bought by the gun manufacturing lobby and the ammunition lobby, becoming nothing more than fear mongering advertising agency for those two entities that ignores very important parts of the Second Amendment.

Teachers do not ever be saddled with the responsibility of carry guns or become trained killers.

Armed teachers are in place in Texas. Look it up. It works. No armed infiltration to date. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/12/20/superintendent_defends_texas_towns_policy_allowing_teachers_to_carry_concealed_guns.html

I'm live on the air at 8 pm! Topic is should Pennsylvania change gun laws?http://tobtr.com/s/4163165. #BlogTalkRadio

What can Easton Do for Gun Control Laws?
tobtr.com
What can Easton Do for Gun Control Laws? Pennsylvania has been know for easy access to guns. Many New Yorkers come to Pennsylvania come and live here just so they can use guns. How should this state react to the recent event in Connecticut and should gun laws be changed?

So the NRA wants to protect us from the government by arming ourselves but they who, indeed, would these armed guards work for? And if not for the government then for what corporation? Blackwater/Xi? Yes, that is an excellent plan (insert sarcastic emoticon)

And while the Right blah blah blah about freedom, freedom, freedom the Republicans continue support warrantless wiretapping, extraordinary rendition, and blatant violations of the Fourth Amendment. They support every Big Bro piece of legislation.

Furthermore, the Right supportz a massive military. If we fear the government and need guns to defend ourselves just who the heck will we need to defend ourselves against. The military!

The logic escapes me.

It's also important to note at the NRA press conference today they did a safety sweep of the press, in which they banned guns at their own press conference to oppose gun bans.

I would not send my kids to a school where there were guns. Guns do not belong in school and will not stop some crazy person from doing what he sets out to do. Instead it puts the kids that attend the school in danger everyday of someone getting a hold of a weapon. Maybe having an officer in plain clothes patrolling once in awhile would be a better idea...

I'm all for the 2nd amendment but this suggestion is total NRA disaster clean up. the facts say that an armed teacher would have had to be in the room in order to stop him also a majority of teachers dont want to carry and fire a gun that why there teachers and not marines. I 'm a supporter of the NRA beliefs but isnt it time for some sort of gun control? I mean do individuals need a complete arsenal? why does the average citizen need an automatic weapon? this incident seems to be a game changer and it should be

Fight fire with fire might work for the fire department. But I can already envision accidental shootings if this ever comes to pass. And if you don't believe me, It happen at the local police department in Easton, Pa 7 years ago.

http://m.voices.yahoo.com/coroner-must-release-autopsy-report-police-officers-2555559.html

I would encourage fiscal conservatives to stop pitching this idea, our economy is already in the gutter and we simply don't have budget to create an additional 1-2 jobs at the nation's 130,000+ places of learning. While the NRA is doing their best to look out for the rights of gun owners, I don't think they've been taking a very sane path with their tactics.

I, for one, would be a proponent of removing the signs and leaving it to the moral conviction of the individual as to whether or not they want to carry.

From Wikipedia - "In 1903 and 1905, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company introduced the first semi-automatic rimfire and centerfire rifles designed especially for the civilian market. The Winchester Model 1903 and Winchester Model 1905 operated on the principle of blowback in order to function semi-automatically. Designed entirely by T.C. Johnson, the Model 1903 achieved commercial success and continued to be manufactured until 1932 when the Winchester Model 63 replaced it."

What? huh? Why I was led to believe that these semi-auto rifles were of modern design? Specifically designed to do mass murder, and yet way back in 1903 they were sold as sporting arms?

But I thought these types of guns "have no sporting purpose"? I mean thats what politicians tell us - so it must be true right?

So semi-automatic guns have been in civilian hands for over 100 years - and now, somehow they have become a blight upon the safety and well being of Americans of all ages.

Perhaps as happens often, we are blaming the wrong thing. The guns are the same, yet these kids, (mostly all white males between the ages of 16 and 24) are out there doing horrible things. We blame the gun - honestly, perhaps we should be looking at other factors (our collective parenting skills? Violent games and movies maybe? I don't know) Thing is, the guns have not really changed in the last 100 years, Americans have...

I agree. At least this will create some jobs.

The most sensible solution I've heard all week.

Columbine and Virginia Tech HAD armed guards. Didn't help. In NY City, recently the NYPD shot several bystanders in an effort to stop a shooter on the street outside the Empire State Building. There is no evidence that more guns reduce gun violence; in fact, the opposite is true. Major studies as well as a survey of developed countries show a direct correlation between gun deaths and gun possession per capita. In Europe, there are many concrete examples of reduced gun violence and reduced mass shootings with increased gun regulation. No, it doesn't "fix everything," but it is a sensible step that is long overdue.

It doesn't make me feel safer knowing a teacher is armed. I prefer a trained, armed and experienced police officer. We sit and debate if we can afford officers...even more imoportantly, can we afford NOT to have them.

Every time a major politician utilizes a school to campaign and/or speechify what happens...? Secret Service and police move in and secure the place. That in itself shows what a farce the "weapon free zone" policies are. We have a policy that supposedly protects the children but when someone "important" comes by then genuine protection shows up.

why dont we have a yearly licensing fee - a fee to play
if you want to have a gun you pay for that license
the license should be the aggregate costs of
cops in schools
costs for all the health/mental needs of victims of shooting
that license in my book would cost at least a few thousand dollars a year

I for one dont want to worry what you do with your gun
and if you dont secure it
what your family or friends should do if they use it without your knowledge

lets get serious
and limit access
and if you want to play
you pay

We here in Haverford have no money for 1 ( one ) school officer. we had one but the school board stopped paying their half because the officer was only interested in romancing the teachers. We have no money for a fire marshal to protect our properties but lo and behold we have money for 4 police dogs. To put an armed police person in every school would mean hiring another 12 - 15 police. HUH ? There has to be better solutions than this. To arm teachers is absurd, there is one teacher at the senior high that uses a walker. The problem has to be thought out and this solution is not the answer. Just my $.02

Stop the world, I want to get off. Teachers carrying guns in school? Insane.

In the United States, there are 100,000 public schools in which some of these inner city schools already have security present. Many have metal detectors, bullet proof windows, and inside key locks to each room. Instead of making our teachers carry guns, apply these tactics to the rest of the schools.

Armed guards don't stop this type of violence. There were armed guards at Columbine. Those good guys with guns didn't stop the bad guys with guns. I would be okay with cops in every school, but it is simply not economically feasible. Due to the power structures needed to do that, the responsibility would be dumped on the local governments and schools which are already strapped for cash. Putting people in the community through a training program to carry guns and guard the school would be equally cost prohibitive and I would feel uncomfortable with that idea. If you are not a cop, you should not be carrying in a school. Most teachers don't want the responsibility of having a gun in the classroom. Also, who is to say that that teacher won't fly off the handle? Declaring "gun free zones" being blamed for this is also crazy. If someone is going to commit mass murder, they don't sit around wondering where a gun free zone is. See: Tuscon, Aurora, Oregon mall.

Also, did anyone else pick up on the "databases of the mentally ill" comment? That is horrifying. People who have done nothing wrong tend to not want their name on any sort of list.

Their better argument was to examine our culture of violence and realize that we need to change (though they did make some poor video game references like Kindergarten Killer which is a flash game no one knows about or plays or Mortal Kombat which deals more in the martial arts).

In the end, though, more guns don't solve the gun problem.

If you want a head-scratching moment read the reactions from Philadelphia and its school district officials. The same people who have to rely on metal detectors to keep weapons out of their schools, pooh-pooh the idea of an armed deterrent.

Some of those schools require the presence of police officers (armed of course) to prevent violence during dismissals.

I'm not saying the presence of armed security or arming teachers is the solution (and I personally do not own any guns ... yet) but the concept of declaring schools "gun-free zones" is in itself security-defeating.

It's too bad there weren't any armed and highly trained guards at Fort Hood.....

Ask yourself this: If your child was in a classroom and some nutcase started blowing people away, and your child's room was next, would you want the teacher to be armed or have no weapon?

What ALWAYS stops a mad man with a gun?

NRA has something here. Protection of our schools needs to happen at the local and state levels. Also love the idea of local, community volunteers providing security services too. The community looking out for its own community. That is the foundation our country was formed. I envision retired officers, military and even civilians (ACT 235 certed, etc) providing these services. As a father of two young ones soon entering the school system, I would be happy to give up my time to volunteer. There are plenty of responsible and trained gun owners in DELCO that would join.

You don't solve the gun violence problem with more guns. There have been too many mass shootings that have occurred with armed guards present (Columbine, Va. Tech, the mall parking lot in Tucson, etc.,etc.). An armed guard at the front door does no good if a shooter comes through the back. Should we also arm theater ushers, church greeters, waiters and so on, also? LaPierre is a total d#ckh##d who needs a reality check. Even the gun nuts, er "enthusiasts", he allegedly represents don't agree with him on these issues.

The federal government has no place in the schools as their dismal track record shows. Each state and school district needs to decide the level of security they, and their citizens feel comfortable with. The cost of security positions could be reduced as individuals or groups might give some of their time willingly.
The notion of armed security in my children's school is a preferred, common sense approach that might actually work, however, it is unfortunate that common sense does not appeal to most politicians or those that elect them.

The NRA is responsible for turning a portion of our country into a group of scared, paranoid people. This organization bastardized the second amendment for the gain of the gun industry while waving our flag to encourage violence. Twenty-six innocent people, including 20 CHILDREN massacred by gun-fire and the NRA's response is to require schools have guns? We have become a very mad, absurd society. We have met the enemy and it is the NRA.

The VA should jump on Wacky Wayne's bandwagon - great employment opportunities for vets who unfortunately have PTSD.

Yes nuns packing guns.

Columbine had an armed sheriif, Virginia Tech has secuirity guards and Fort Hood was a military base.....that is why put a guard in the school won't work

i agree we should protect our loved ones, our children.

While I agree 200% to protect the kids at schools- I don't know that the teachers are apt to carry. #1 REASON- IF YOU HAVE A GUN, YOU BETTER BE PREPARED TO USE IT, AND BE ABLE TO USE IT! OTHERWISE A TEACHER WITH A GUN IS USELESS. A teacher w/ guns is a great idea, but most teachers I know are too passive and are not capable of handling this type of choice..I think a handful of teachers who want to be trained and regularly go to the range is a great idea- but when we emphasize the weapons training, does the quality of schooling fall to the wayside? I STILL AGREE THAT THERE SHOULD BE TRAINED PERSONELL, AT THE READY or SCHOOL POLICE..... And I am sorry the comment about a tazer- really...Do you think a tazer would have stopped this incident in CT? By the time a teacher got to think about using a Tazer- they would have been dead...I doubt they were close enough for a tazer to have done much...Plus, a tazer produces strong involuntary muscle contractions - Not really a good idea if that person is pointing a gun at you or others..

This is going to be a vicious cirlce...Everyone is making this out to be that the guns are killing...IT IS THE NUTS GETTING THE GUNS THAT ARE KILLING... These people are not using their own guns, they are using stolen or illegally obtained guns..So to say we need tighter gun control is an idiotic thing to say...I will say it again- then only the criminals will have the guns. The people that don't like guns - do you oppose a person saving your child from being shot by a madman- by shooting the guy threatening your family? If you are that concerned about gun control- What if it was you in that school, with your face in the crosshairs of that gun? I bet you would change you mind and hope to God someone had a gun to put that guy down.

It is true our school (Saucon Valley) can definately afford police to protect our children. If we stopped buying ipads and stopped spending 2.4 million dollars on athletics , we could afford to keep our kids safe . Instead we have leadership that focuses on making the district look wealthy through superficial things. Maybe we need to focus on new leadership within the district- perhaps we need leaders to stop talking a good game and start stepping up to the plate.

The Fort Hood argument doesn't stand up for this example. Here's why:

In March 1993, the Army imposed regulations forbidding military personnel from carrying their personal firearms and making it almost impossible for commanders to issue firearms to soldiers in the U.S. for personal protection. For the most part, only military police regularly carry firearms on base, and their presence is stretched thin by high demand for MPs in war zones.

Because of the firearms restrictions on domestic military bases, terrorists would face more return fire if they attacked a Texas Wal-Mart than the gunman faced at Fort Hood, home of the heavily armed and feared 1st Cavalry Division. That’s why a civilian policewoman from off base was the one whose marksmanship ended Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s rampage.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/11/end-clinton-era-military-base-gun-ban/#ixzz2FpIlSH1R

Our schools should definitely have armed guards and instead of hiring new guards we just arm the ones who are already employed. As far as assault weapons go, one bad apple shouldn't spoil the bunch. We don't blame cars for car accidents, do we? Then why should we blame guns for the actions of a person. Any new gun control laws will only punish the responsible gun owners because criminals don't exactly like to obey the law. There would probably be a Grandfather Clause in there too, so even if people can't buy assault rifles. there will still be millions more who own them.

Both sides of this debate have some merit. Until we get back to being accountable for our actions. Rebuild our family values. Build our neighborhoods again and become neighbors to each other again our society will continue to decay. Taking guns away from the good will only advantage the bad. No one should be given the responsibility to protect with a gun unless they are prepared to use it and live with the consequences should it be used. We as a society are responsible for the safety of our children. Instead of putting the responsibility on just a few we should learn to recognise the warning signs of bad behaviour and respond to that no matter a family member or a stranger to the proper authority. Everyone e needs to be a part of the solution.

Clinton did this around the same time he disarmed our troops on military bases (except for the few MPs), but subsequent democrat congresses stripped the funding. (See April 16, 2000 L.A. Times http://articles.latimes.com/2000/apr/16/news/mn-20323 - Clinton Pledges Funds to Add Police to Schools).

Sorry Wayne, we don’t need another over-militarized bureaucracy spending our tax monies on feel-good - look-good appearances. Allowing the school staff to carry - with appropriate training and secrecy - and encourage the communities to assist as needed, is the only - American - way to go. Our courts, airports, government office buildings, etc., are already taking on the appearance of locked down compounds - let’s not turn our schools into prisons.

Take God out of schools, and let evil in.

Take God out of the country, and evil will overshadow the nation.

Kids spending hours and hours in shooter games, and Life is reduced to points.

Add the internet, movies, and the killing of 50 million babies through abortion and you have a sick society.

Guns had nothing to do with this. Face the real issues.

Hopefully, the people who make the decisions for our schools and their safety, will have a thoughtful , open-minded discussion about all of the options. We can continue to post our thoughts but it would be a surprise if we heard "something new" at this point.

Pennsylvanian's are smart & know propaganda when they see it.
Staged news; or some practice drill, i.e. 'ex plan'.

But, why is there such a rush to disarm civilians, all of a sudden?

I feel sorry for the State's leadership having to contend with that Federal Government paperwork, but it's not only Pennsylvania but in all fifty states where the Fed's would like nationwide uniformity for:
1) Continuation of government; replacing a well known government employee with another person they may not know.
2) Evacuating every single person from their residence to another locale by using any means of transportation to do it. Once completed these forms will show the State has followed the plan set forth by the Federal Government.

They mentioned the State of Nevada had completed their paperwork & could be used as the model.

Federal Government was to have a Homeland Security Office situated throughout the State's counties. They are here to help answer questions the State may have along with helping them complete their plans; fill out the paperwork & returned it within a given time frame. The State's refusal to this all means Federal funding cuts; but I don't recall if it was partial or whole.

Additionally, it was mentioned that the National Guard works with the Police Department & how that's always been one of their functions.

So, what is going on here? Is Pennsylvanians' going to fall under the guise of the big government or be independent, & think for itself.

NRA Armed Security in School: Not a bad idea...This could be a good source of revenue, to wit: (According to Aaron Harber*) -

About a total of 300,000 jobs will be created @$40K/person at a cost of $20 billion which includes additional maintenance costs...To fund these position:
Community Safety Fee - $350.00 to register...$50 for annual renewal.
0.25 cents/shell
With 10 million guns sold/year=$31/2 billion
With renewal fee of $50 of 300 million guns owned=$15 billion/year.
With additional 35 billion shells @0.25 cents/shell=$9B more.
Fines of $10,000 if caught unregistered + $5/shell

Funds from penalties are to be used in Safety Programs protecting schools.
*Aaron@HarberTV.com

An armed, financed, and God fearing America is a problem for such plans. Could you elaborate with links, in particular #2 (which is UN Agenda 21 stuff practiced by the leaders of UD Twp (sustainable development to name one)), and the research for Nevada.

@Al Tax a Constitutional Right to bear arms?
Media and Hollywood is the problem.
How much damage is being caused by feeding our kids heads with non stop violent video games, music, movies, or TV. Or in our public schools teaching life is just a blob of cells to be aborted and terminated? Or the schools encouraging same sex attraction.

No wonder the kids are so screwed up.

When the true becomes a lie, and the lie becomes the true.

Tax Movies, Video games, have the teachers teach the value of human life and to respect their bodies. To treat others with honor, respect, and dignity.

@monkey Hitting the Egg Nog??? ... What are you talking about.

How can everyone blame video games, Movies and Music! What happened to GOOD PARENTING! The same stuff has been around since TV Began being in every household in America... PARENTS HAVE TO PARENT! Stop blaming everyone but yourselves. If you spent time with your kids and put restrictions on what they are doing, we would not have these problems. BE A RESPONSIBLE PARENT! As kids I was only allowed to watch certain things and play certain video games, and we had responsibilities...Too many parents are letting their kids run the household and have no responsibilities. We had money, but we still got part time jobs and had chores- it is what our parents taught us. I came from a broken family, and my Mom worked her butt off to make sure we could do things together as a family when she had off. But, also had us kids do chores, so when she was home we could do things together, as a family. We were not religious, so this is not a GOD thing, this is about Family Values, and the United States has completely lost it's way. Look at most of the Norwegian Countries, they are very family oriented, not money oriented.. Families spend time together over there, where families in the US put their priorities on how much money they can make to have things they don't need.

If you are not willing to teach your kids the difference between right and wrong and be involved in their lives, no one has anyone to blame but themselves. Guns have been around for over a century, Western Movies are just as violent as movies today, Gays have been around forever, Music has been around forever- this is not new stuff, lax parenting is to blame..If you don't want your kids watching or doing something- DO something about it. Don't blame everthing else.

11 armed guards at Obama's daughters' school
http://www.wnd.com/2012/12/11-armed-guards-at-obamas-daughters-school/

I agree with the NRA 100%. These killings only occur in gun-free zones and that is a fact that cannot be denied. Giving teachers the opportunity to protect themselves and the children they are responsible for should be their choice. But, in addition, the retired or out-of-work trained service men and women should be utilized and put into our schools. More gun control laws will only stop law-abiding citizens from getting guns, not the criminals.

I would not want "MarpleResident" anywhere near children, especially with a gun.

The coarsening of America...We just have to live with it.

CA school arms their police with Colt LE6940 rifles. Delicious.
http://news.yahoo.com/fontana-calif-schools-high-powered-rifles-184934771.html

I particularly like how they call them 'high-powered'. They are .223, folks. That's barely bigger than a .22. But they look so menacing and military...oooh, shivers.

Good for this school! Armed personnel are a perfect deterrent to armed psychos.