Arming school resource officers

Arm District 81 resource officers? Duh! Ditto teachers and administrators – subject to vigorous training and robust vetting. Guns suck, but like cancer will always exist in our community. To battle cancer the body is intentionally poisoned. Ditto to defeat school shootings, or sadly, to at least reduce casualties.

The Freeman tragedy would have been much worse if not for a jammed trigger. Is relying on luck our plan for the next incident? There are over 2,000 District 81 teachers. If only 5% are breaking the rules and bringing their guns to school – in purses, backpacks and briefcases – that is over 100 guns amongst 47 schools. More if administration, clerical and maintenance personnel are included. Guns in the hands of untrained and unvetted individuals, who are unlikely to use them unless they themselves are threatened. A deadly version of don’t ask, don’t tell.

The armed individuals need to have continuous training and regular psychological exams. Weapons need to have trigger locks, kept in handgun safes and stored on the upper shelf of locked cabinets. Will this stop school shootings? No. Will this enhance safety and reduce the carnage when there is a shooting? Yes.

Mark Mullane

Spokane