Listen brother, something tells me your children, nieces, or nephews are not sociopathic gang members with Santa Muerte tattooed on their faces. I don't know what the characteristics of your facility are - all I'm saying is that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution here.Divided Attention wrote:What do mothers do that carry?? Do they not let their own kids within their personal space? Never hold their toddlers? The argument about "crowded halls" is bunk, what do each of us do when we are in crowded situations? How often do the general public disarm a CHL carrier? Concealed is concealed, this would mean that the students would have NO need to know who was carrying. It would be no different than going about daily business anyplace else.
I did not stop hugging, lugging and cuddling with my nieces, nephews, and my own children over 2 years ago when I got my license? I did not stop hugging folks at church and out and about. I know for a fact I could do my job with my side arm, and my job is often very physically demanding and up close and personal with the students, and no one would need to or obviously know that I had it with me. I could do so safely and pretty darn comfortably! Because I have taken the time and effort and invested in my God given right to my personal protection and to set myself up for success with the proper equipment. I also strive to achieve proper training well above and beyond the basic CHL requirements.
When you're making big changes in policy, you need to let the devil's advocate have his say.
The implication that someone who feels the way I do on this is inherently naîve, misinformed, inexperienced, uneducated, and has not taken the time nor invested the effort in proper equipment or training is unfair at best - and frankly, it speaks volumes. If the decision was made to enact this policy I would certainly make myself available in that role. It's not as if there are marksmen roaming the halls everywhere - I might be the only staff member on campus with defensive pistol training of any kind.
To me the appeal of armed staff lies in the opportunity to forgo the creation of a "locked down" school with greater police presence and student tracking. However, the fundamental flaw we are all overlooking is the fact that almost universally, schools have not taken access control seriously.