This was a refreshing read-- very insightful and well-reasoned, unlike most of the polemic opinion pieces out there.
The main reason I don't own a gun yet is my history of having panic attacks. They are indescribably horrible, and the midst of one it is difficult to think, reason, or imagine it will ever end. I am certain that if I'd had access to a gun during some previous panic attacks, I wouldn't be here now.
At the same time, the threats of home invasion, rape, etc. do exist, and a lethal weapon may be the only effective deterrent against those who would otherwise initiate force again us. So I definitely support the idea of people getting trained in handling a gun for self-defense.
I agree that teachers shouldn't be required to have guns. An unconfident, untrained person with a gun is more dangerous than someone without one. The trouble is that it is illegal for regular citizens to carry guns on schoolgrounds and college campuses. This leaves teachers and their students defenseless against attacks, such as those we have seen in the mass murders. At the college where I teach, the police chief gave a presentation to the faculty last fall and basically said we are just supposed to lock the classroom doors, hide, and wait for the police to save us in an emergency. There are two officers on campus at a time... at a school with 15,000+ students.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2013-04-03 09:50 pm (UTC)The main reason I don't own a gun yet is my history of having panic attacks. They are indescribably horrible, and the midst of one it is difficult to think, reason, or imagine it will ever end. I am certain that if I'd had access to a gun during some previous panic attacks, I wouldn't be here now.
At the same time, the threats of home invasion, rape, etc. do exist, and a lethal weapon may be the only effective deterrent against those who would otherwise initiate force again us. So I definitely support the idea of people getting trained in handling a gun for self-defense.
I agree that teachers shouldn't be required to have guns. An unconfident, untrained person with a gun is more dangerous than someone without one. The trouble is that it is illegal for regular citizens to carry guns on schoolgrounds and college campuses. This leaves teachers and their students defenseless against attacks, such as those we have seen in the mass murders. At the college where I teach, the police chief gave a presentation to the faculty last fall and basically said we are just supposed to lock the classroom doors, hide, and wait for the police to save us in an emergency. There are two officers on campus at a time... at a school with 15,000+ students.