Teacher accidentally fires gun in classroom, students injured

[Quetzal]

Teacher accidentally fires gun in classroom, students injured

Dennis Alexander was pointing the gun at the ceiling when he inadvertently fired it Tuesday at Seaside High School, said Abdul Pridgen, the city's police chief.

Bullet fragments ricocheted off the ceiling and hit a 17-year-old student in the neck, Pridgen said.

I have reservations for arming teachers and here is a case that is related. This teacher was negligent but was trained in firearms:

Alexander also serves as a reserve officer for Sand City police...

I just begs the never ending question: do we want teachers, who were hired to teach, to be armed with guns in a school? Thoughts?

 

[Revoltingest]

Teacher accidentally fires gun in classroom, students injured



I have reservations for arming teachers and here is a case that is related. This teacher was negligent but was trained in firearms:



I just begs the never ending question: do we want teachers, who were hired to teach, to be armed with guns in a school? Thoughts?

If anyone fires a gun into the ceiling, it's pretty clear that one is not properly trained.
Training is something I don't see being addressed in the media or in proposed legislation.
They better fix this lack.

And I have a new suggestion:
Absolutely no demonstrative use of guns in any "safety" training in schools.
If they really want to do something like that, then arrange a field trip to a
range where a competent range officer overseas everything. This should
never be an informal affair.

Btw, be careful using Fox News as a source.
You'll ruffle a few feathers here.

 

[Nakosis]

Teacher accidentally fires gun in classroom, students injured



I have reservations for arming teachers and here is a case that is related. This teacher was negligent but was trained in firearms:



I just begs the never ending question: do we want teachers, who were hired to teach, to be armed with guns in a school? Thoughts?

A teacher, sorry, stupid enough to fire a weapon in a class full of students, I'd rather not have teaching a class full of students.

 

[Quetzal]

A teacher, sorry, stupid enough to fire a weapon in a class full of students, I'd rather not have teaching a class full of students.

Which highlights another point, do you think we can trust teachers with this responsibility?

 

[sealchan]

Teacher accidentally fires gun in classroom, students injured



I have reservations for arming teachers and here is a case that is related. This teacher was negligent but was trained in firearms:



I just begs the never ending question: do we want teachers, who were hired to teach, to be armed with guns in a school? Thoughts?

I think that teachers, with the proper experience (military, police, etc...not those who want to go to a "how to fire a gun at people class") and not just training, may elect to have secure access to a gun in a classroom. The statistical likelihood that this will save lives is so low that it isn't really worth the effort but I don't see a reason to prevent it and even a small chance it could save lives is worthwhile.

And anyway, as tragic as some incidents are, and as thoughtless and unfortunate as some "small" incidents are (such as this recent news), do we need to make wholesale decisions based on these incidents? Context is always lost in the news that local individuals would have. Those decisions about whether so and so should be punished, reprimanded or forgiven are often best made by those who are directly impacted by those individuals on a daily basis.

 

[Nakosis]

Which highlights another point, do you think we can trust teachers with this responsibility?

Certainly not all teachers.

Teachers like everyone else run the gamut of intelligence and responsibility. You can't judge all teachers based on the actions of one.

If more than a few folks like this are teaching in schools, I think we facing a much bigger problem. I'm hoping a vast majority of teachers have more sense. I could be wrong.

 

[David1967]

Teacher accidentally fires gun in classroom, students injured



I have reservations for arming teachers and here is a case that is related. This teacher was negligent but was trained in firearms:



I just begs the never ending question: do we want teachers, who were hired to teach, to be armed with guns in a school? Thoughts?

Why did the teacher have the gun unholstered? I would think that would be against policy except in an emergency situation.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

Teacher accidentally fires gun in classroom, students injured



I have reservations for arming teachers and here is a case that is related. This teacher was negligent but was trained in firearms:



I just begs the never ending question: do we want teachers, who were hired to teach, to be armed with guns in a school? Thoughts?

It was inevitable.

 

[Quetzal]

Why did the teacher have the gun unholstered? I would think that would be against policy except in an emergency situation.

Good question and if you get a chance to read the article (it's pretty short), it mentions he is under investigation for this very thing.

 

[David1967]

Good question and if you get a chance to read the article (it's pretty short), it mentions he is under investigation for this very thing.

Very good question. There should be a very clear policy regarding this.

 

[Quetzal]

Very good question. There should be a very clear policy regarding this.

There should be, for sure. I think @Revoltingest hits a very big potential problem which is adequate training. If guns become a part of a teachers carry, we need to be very selective on who gets that privilege on school property.

 

[Skwim]

I think it's obvious that if teachers are going to have guns then we need to start arming the students.

.

 

[David1967]

There should be, for sure. I think @Revoltingest hits a very big potential problem which is adequate training. If guns become a part of a teachers carry, we need to be very selective on who gets that privilege on school property.

Absolutely. And it should not be a one time training class, it should be required continued safety training. Even the best trained (even firearms instructors) have accidents sometimes. In the teachers case, (assuming he was even allowed to carry at school in the first place), the weapon should not have been out of holster.

 

[Quetzal]

Absolutely. And it should not be a one time training class, it should be required continued safety training. Even the best trained (even firearms instructors) have accidents sometimes. In the teachers case, (assuming he was even allowed to carry at school in the first place), the weapon should not have been out of holster.

Agreed, I think it should be held twice a year (mandatory) with other optional training exercises throughout the year. See how that goes but even that might not be enough. It really depends on the background of the teacher. For example, a former officer or a veteran might not need as much training as say someone who has never handled one before.

 

[Quetzal]

I think it's obvious that if teachers are going to have guns then we need to start arming the students.

.

Recess would be a lot more interesting, for sure!

 

[Revoltingest]

Agreed, I think it should be held twice a year (mandatory) with other optional training exercises throughout the year. See how that goes but even that might not be enough. It really depends on the background of the teacher. For example, a former officer or a veteran might not need as much training as say someone who has never handled one before.

I wouldn't exempt anyone from uniform training requirements.
However, if one is already a qualified marksman, then training
in that area is already sufficient. But safety specialized school
conduct training....no exception whatsoever. Let no substandard
person slip thru the cracks.

 

[David1967]

Agreed, I think it should be held twice a year (mandatory) with other optional training exercises throughout the year. See how that goes but even that might not be enough. It really depends on the background of the teacher. For example, a former officer or a veteran might not need as much training as say someone who has never handled one before.

Your suggestions are a good place to start.

 

[Quetzal]

Your suggestions are a good place to start.

Thanks! I do think it is important to say I have little to no experience in this domain. So any suggestions/ideas should be taken with a large grain of salt.

 

[esmith]

Which highlights another point, do you think we can trust teachers with this responsibility?

Yes, as long as they are properly trained

 

[David1967]

Thanks! I do think it is important to say I have little to no experience in this domain. So any suggestions/ideas should be taken with a large grain of salt.

I do happen to have experience in this domain, and your suggestions make practical sense. Keep em coming.

 

[Quetzal]

Yes, as long as they are properly trained

This seems to be the theme we all seem to find agreement on. Based on your experience, if a teacher who had no previous training and wanted to participate, how long would it take? Assuming they can demonstrate basic competencies at a reasonable rate.

Edit: @David1967 feel free to chime in as well.