Officials grapple with issue of arming teachers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A state Senator says Indiana teachers should be able to carry firearms in the classroom as long as they are properly trained and willing to do it.

Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville, said when it comes to keeping students safe, he believes an armed security guard isn’t enough.

“These schools are thousands of square feet, multiple floors, some of your grade schools are multiple buildings,” he said.  “So to put that much reliance on one individual to be the superman – it’s really not reasonable.”

Tomes said classroom teachers are truly the first responders.

“And I’ve explained it this way. If you were drowning in deep water, would you want the lifeguard to come to your aid or would you want the lifeguard to call 911 and wait five to seven minutes for the ambulance to show up?”

A Texas school district allows teachers to bring weapons to school. Other states are considering legislation that would allow teachers to be trained to use firearms.

Tomes said since mentioning the idea in December, he’s heard from people who support his idea in Indiana – including teachers and administrators.

But not all are on board.

“I would say most educators feel that it's not a good idea to have a proliferation of guns in the classrooms,” said Nate Schnellenberger, President of the Indiana State Teacher’s Association.  “I'm sure there are some teachers who feel comfortable carrying a gun but you know in today's environment even a sturdy male carrying a concealed weapon is at risk of having that weapon taken away from him.”

Lebanon Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor said he does not support arming “untrained or unqualified” teaching staff.

“The preparation of an individual to provide a lethal response to a violent attack at a school goes far beyond the simple training or qualifying of someone to use a firearm.  Situational awareness, risk assessment, non-lethal response options, and negotiation intervention skills, plus numerous other security-related skills, such as firearms training are just some of the expertise needed by a first responder,” said Taylor.

But Tomes said teachers would not be mandated to carry a firearm, and that those who volunteer would be required to do extensive training.

“I don’t want to put this on anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable about it because they wouldn’t be successful at it,” said Tomes. “But we’ve got to allow people who are willing to take on a fix for the problem and let them have that opportunity to be able to provide that security.”

Tomes said there is no actual legislation proposed for Indiana, but he wants his proposal to be a part of the public conversation about gun control.

“This is our chance to do that,” he said. “I don’t want it to get away from us.”