Teachers Should Be Armed - Argumentative Essay

Introduction

Teachers should be armed with weapons to defend the school from shooters; this will improve their security and that of their pupils by discouraging those who would otherwise consider attacking the schools.

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The cases of shootings in social places have been on the rise. We viewed schools as safe places with least interest for criminals. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case as they have recently been a target. In the first two months of 2018, the number of school shootings was at 17. The incidences represented double the cases experienced at the same time the previous year (Aiello). The shooters in this cases have been of different identities, and sometimes their motives have been difficult to derive.

Terrorism has been one of the reasons cited as the cause of this shootings in some cases. Statistics confirm this for some occurrences. The spread of terrorism increases in other institutions and the schools remain a soft target for terrorists. Robbery has also been a reason for the invasions of schools as the security systems in schools have not been designed for heavily armed intrusions which have led to injuries to innocent students and the loss of lives. Students have in some cases been the shooters with various motives, and in some cases, the reasons are unknown (Woodall).

Teachers are the best option in the quest to ensure that schools remain secure. There have been a variety of solutions suggested, but a keen look into the circumstances of previous shootings support the idea of having teachers with the ability to prevent this attacks.

Teachers' presence around their students is better compared to that of a security officer that mans a specific area within a locality. As an addition, arming teachers means that before a shooter reaches the students, the armed teacher has an opportunity to neutralize the threat. This security measure has the chance of significantly reducing these cases. The schools cannot hire security officers to man each class or areas where students are learning; this would mean that it has to increase the number of employees, which translate to increasing the allocation of funds towards security, funds which would have been useful allocated elsewhere. Furthermore, this could lead to disruption of classes and changing of the class environment. The students' comfort would be affected by the presence of a security officer signaling presence of threats. Training teachers and paying bonuses for the extra security is more sustainable compared to hiring new security officers (Chavez).

Critics have expressed concerns about arming teachers but the views raised can be mitigated. The teachers being provided permits to carry guns must undergo thorough training. The government can come up with criteria to ensure that teachers performing these duties are fit to handle guns and do not risk safety or lives of the students. The teachers training on safety measures should be reviewed to ensure they are adequate in handling weapons and that the students are not at risk.

Conclusion

Training and arming of the teachers provide them with the capabilities to protect their students. Armed teachers can proficiently avert an attack. The possession of a weapon offers the means necessary for a teacher to face a shooter with equal strength giving them a fighting chance. In some states, carrying of guns concealed by licensed holders is not prohibited in school (Way). Knowing that teachers are in possession of weapons and are capable of protecting their students, gives parents an assurance and confidences of their children's protection and safety to admit them to schools. Doing so will discourage shooters from attacking institutions.

Teachers should have weapons to defend their students; this will prevent intruders from accessing schools with the aim of harming students and others within the institution. The presence of teachers who can protect students and the institution is the solution to this menace.

Works Cited

Aiello, Chloe. "CNBC." 17 Shootings in 45 Days - Florida Massacre is One of the Many Tragedies in 2018 (2018).

Chavez, Nicole. "CNN." These schools say arming teachers 'can be done right' (2018).

Way, Kate. "Arming Teachers." The New York Times (2018).

Woodall, Bernie. "Ex-student arrested after 17 shot dead at Florida high school." Reuters (2018).