Β CHARLOTTE, NC — Do North Carolinians want guns in schools? Β Some teachers and lawmakers do.
A shooting range is not exactly where you’d expect to find your local science teacher. Β When we met Thomas Townsend, he’d just finished his school day. Β “It’s an entirely different world than it was when I first started teaching,” he said. Β “World’s not even close to the same.”
Shootings have been reported in at least 87 U.S. schools in the past two years, according to a group that tracks the crimes. Β Lawmakers in other states are arming select teachers. Β So will North Carolina ever permit Townsend to bring his skills to school?
“I would put myself between them and any danger that was there,” said Townsend. Β He is not alone.
“You wonder what would you do if it were to happen in a school you’re in,” said Classroom Teachers Association President Judy Kidd. Β
Teachers faced that reality in five North Carolina schools over the past year, including Salisbury High back in February, and Albemarle High in September. Β No one died in those shootings. Β
The latest suspect’s mother agreed to speak, only to WCCB, after her son shot another student. Β “I just wish he would have told me he had a gun,” she said.
The Albemarle Police Chief said that day that arming teachers would do no good. Β “We have in place our school resource officers,” he said. Β “And personally, that’s who I would rather see it in the hands of.”
We checked, and every high school, middle school and some elementary schools in the WCCB Charlotte viewing area has at least one armed officer in the building. Β “To stick our heads in the sand and pretend like one resource officer can protect twelve hundred, fourteen hundred kids in a school at any given time is absolute insanity,” said Townsend.
North Carolina Senator Stan Bingham from Davidson County thinks schools need more protection. Β He wrote Senate Bill 27, which calls for teachers to carry in emergency situations. Β
Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker isn’t convinced. Β “I would be very surprised if this came to pass in North Carolina,” he said. Β Swecker is Chairman of the Governor’s Crime Commission. Β The group talks with local law enforcement after school shootings. Β “I think the training would be very expensive. Β And even with the training, and the time it would take away from their teaching, I think they’re still going to have all kinds of issues with accidental firings.”
“I’d like to be able to see a situation where the students, our most valuable resource in the entire world, would not be so vulnerable,” said Townsend.
For now, if a teacher wants a gun at schools, it has to stay locked in their car. Β
Statistics on accidental firings inside schools are not available, because laws allowing concealed carries in classrooms are so new. Β A teacher in Utah accidentally fired her gun recently, while using the bathroom at school. Β She resigned.
