School Gun Debate - Research Proposal Example

School Gun Debate There is a debate in America on whether to allow teachers and students to carry concealed guns to the school. There are two hardline positions that have emerged due to this debate. Those supporting the proposal that teachers and students should carry concealed guns to the school, and those who are against this proposal of allowing students and teachers to carry concealed guns within the school environment. Those supporting the proposal argue that the federal and state governments should allow teachers and students to carry these weapons as a mechanism of self defense (Cook and Jens, 670). Those who are against this proposal argue that these weapons can be used to carry out criminal activities, because of their availability. This paper looks closely at this gun debate, and it takes a stand that teachers and students should be allowed to carry concealed guns to the school. Arguments supporting the notion that teachers and students should carry concealed guns: Various states within America have recognized the need of teachers and students to carry concealed guns to school. In fact, 19 states have introduced laws which allow teachers to carry guns to the school. However, these enacted laws have laid down some very specific conditions that must be met by educators before they are given a permit to carry these weapons to school. In Georgia and the state of Missouri students and teachers can carry concealed guns to their campuses (Severson, 15). However, the condition is that these guns must be under lock, inside a car. In Massachusetts, Nevada and Louisiana, teachers can carry guns to their schools, as long as they have a gun permit from the state, and a written permission from leading administrators of the school. In Hawaii, and New Hampshire, teachers can carry guns to their school environments, on condition that they have a permit that allows them to carry these weapons (Severson, 16). States such as Kansas, Tennessee, and Texas have strict laws that regulate the manner in which teachers and students should be allowed to carry these weapons. In Kansas and Tennessee, there is a presence of education districts boards that have the responsibility of choosing teachers who should carry these weapons to school (Severson, 19). However, the laws of these states do not allow students to carry such kind of weapons to school. Texas also allows teachers to carry guns to school, however, under very strict terms. According to their Children’s Protection Act, teachers can act as school marshals (Severson, 21). To obtain this position, they have to take and pass a series of mental tests. They also have to receive training on the efficient methods of handling a weapon, and the response in case of an attack. The argument advanced by these states in allowing teachers to carry these weapons is that there will be an increase in security within the school environment. Arming teachers with guns will enhance security within the school environment because they will protect students against armed attackers in case it happens. When they have guns, an armed attacker will be discouraged from attacking the school (Cook, 2021). This is because he or she will expect some resistance. In case of an attack, every minute and second counts. Calling the police and waiting for their arrival is not effective in protecting students and armed attackers from being killed or injured. This is because before the police arrive, an armed attacker would have killed many people. This will only happen if the attacker does not face any resistance. For example, if the nearest police unit is 13 minutes away. This will mean that before the police arrive, an attacker will have 13 minutes to kill and injure unarmed students and teachers. This is because he or she won’t meet any resistance. However, if teachers had weapons, the attacker will face resistance, and this might lead to the protection of the students and teachers lives. A good example is the Sandy Hook school shooting where Victoria Soto was killed after hiding her children. Victoria Soto was a first grade teacher, who boldly confronted the attacker, knowing very well that she was unarmed (Cook, 41). It is therefore highly possible that if Victoria Soto had a gun, then she could be living today. The same applies to the teachers and students who were killed during this incident. Another example is the Pearl High Shooting of 1997, where a student killed two of his peers, and injured seven of his peers (Siegel, 26). This student was stopped by the assistant principal, managing to hold him, until the police arrived. The question to ask and answer is therefore what if the assistant principle did not have a gun? It is obvious that the attacker would have killed as many students as possible before the arrival of the police. On this basis, a time is coming when it will be mandatory and a must for school administrators and teachers to carry weapons to school. This will ensure that they protect their lives, and that of the children they teach. It is highly possible, that to allow this to happen, the state will have to train teachers on better methods of handling these weapons (Whitney, 34). The environment in which we live in is full of crime and violence. That is why there is the need of police officers to maintain law and order. However, they are always overwhelmed by their duties, as such, it is necessary to arm private individuals such as teachers to supplement their roles. It is only after the eradication of crime that teachers and students should not be allowed to carry these weapons to the school (Wilson, 20). Despite these reasons identified for carrying guns, there are people who oppose any attempts of allowing teachers and students to carry concealed guns. According to their arguments, a school is a place of learning, therefore creating a perception of conflict through arming teachers is not conducive. They further argue that allowing teachers and students to carry these weapons will increase insecurity within the learning sector. This is because teachers and students alike will have an access to this weapon, and on a small provocation, they might resort to use them. They also argue that teachers and students do not understand the ethical practices of using a gun, and on this basis, they should not carry guns to school (Celinska, 234). They might use it inappropriately, frustrating the purpose upon which this policy was developed. These people further believe that teachers and students cannot effectively defend themselves by using guns. This is because it needs an expert to be able to use the weapon in the most effective manner. These critics have also developed the theory of morality. According to this argument, it is immoral and unethical for students and teachers to carry weapons at the school. Even though the intention is good, the method of carrying out this intention is wrong. It is not wise for the government to arm teachers and students as a means of protecting them. In fact, it will better protect them when these teachers are not armed. This is because guns will not be easily available for use, in case an individual is provoked (Geneva, 32). These critics denote that gun attacks in schools are always isolated cases, and the solution to this problem is creating an efficient security intelligence system that will identify security hot spots, and hence collect the necessary information that will protect teachers and students. These arguments brought forth by anti-gun crusaders are inaccurate and do not portray any truth in them. These people advocate for morality, but they forget that people who attack schools are not guided by any sense of morality. Anti-gun critics also forget that people have a right to defend themselves when attacked. Then, how can an individual protect himself when the other individual has a superior weapon to theirs (Celinska, 233). On this note, the principle of morality, as advocated by anti gun critics does not apply. These people also denote that teachers and students are not capable of handling weapons. They forget that various legislations requires any private individual who possesses a gun to pass through a series of tests before he or she gets a gun holding permit. In conclusion, it is prudent for teachers and some students to carry concealed guns to their schools. Carrying guns will help to secure all the people within a learning environment, and hence improve on their security. This is because, in case of an attack, people within the school environment can hold the attackers, before the arrival of police officers. This paper manages to identify particular states that have initiated measures of allowing teachers to carry these weapons to school. This includes states like Texas, Utah and Tennessee. However, they have laws that regulate the manner in which licensed gun holders must behave. This paper also manages to identify the main arguments against allowing teachers to carry guns. The main argument is that it is morally wrong for a state to allow such an action. This is because the school is a learning environment, and not a place a war. This paper also manages to give a counter approach to this issue, explaining why the perceptions of anti-gun crusaders are wrong. Works Cited: Celinska, Katarzyna. "Individualism and Collectivism in America: The Case of Gun Ownership and Attitudes Towards Gun Control." Sociological Perspectives 50 (2008): 229- 247.Print. Cook, Philip, and Jens Ludwig. "Aiming for Evidence Based Gun Policy." Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 25 (2006): 691-735. Print. Cook, Philip. "The Great American Gun War." Crime and Justice 42.1 (2013): 1975-2025. Print. Geneva, Switzerland. Small Arms Survey 2012: moving targets.. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Print. Severson, Kim. "Guns at School? If There’s a Will, There Are Ways." New York Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2013. . Siegel, Dina. Traditional Organized Crime in the Modern World: Responses to Socioeconomic Change. Dordrecht: Springer, 2012. Print. Whitney, Craig R.. Living with guns: a liberal's case for the Second Amendment. New York: Public Affairs, 2012. Print. Wilson, Harry L.. Guns, gun control, and elections: the politics and policy of firearms. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2007. Print. Read More