In some states, police officers are not allowed to carry guns into campuses. And, in the wake of some high-profile school shootings, it is no wonder that most school districts and teacher groups are appalled at the prospect of "pistol-packin' teachers."
But, Oregon state law is on the teacher's side in this case (as well as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Link to Google™ search for "oregon teacher carrying gun to school suit"
"Lawyers for the Medford, Ore. high school teacher who wants the right to bring her Glock-9mm pistol to school filed suit in Jackson County Circuit Court Tuesday, in a case that's being closely watched by both gun rights groups and school boards nationwide."
Source:
http://www.kptv.com/news/14145616/detail.html
"The teacher has not been identified in media reports, because she says she is a victim of domestic violence, and fears for her own safety, and that of her daughter. In the lawsuit filed Tuesday, she's identified only as 'Jane Doe.'
But in an editorial printed in The Oregonian's Sunday editions, she wrote that she's seeking the right to carry a gun to protect against an ex-husband whom she claims has violated restraining orders and threatened to kill her.
Police are stationed in her school, she added, but far enough from her classroom that she feels exposed, especially since her ex-husband is an approved substitute teacher for the district.
'It is abhorrent that any district would be so hypocritical to insist students receive instruction on the importance of individual rights only to trample the rights of their teachers whenever it sees to do so,' the teacher wrote.
The lawsuit, filed by Lake Oswego attorney James Leuenberger, seeks to void the district's policy, saying that the district should not be "regulating, restricting or prohibiting," the teacher's licensed use of a firearm."
Source:
Oregon Teacher Files Suit to Bring Gun to School
"A solution is unlikely to come from the current state legislature, said Chuck Bennett, a veteran schools lobbyist, given the politically ticklish nature of the dispute, which many see as an infringement on the right to bear arms.
'We have had children shot, and we couldn't get them to pass legislation like this,' Bennett said, harking back to the 1998 shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield, Ore., when a 15-year-old student killed two of his fellow students and wounded 25 others. 'Even if the employees have the absolute need to protect themselves, the fear is, who is in the crossfire?'
Source:
Television News Commentary"
School Board Rights
Of course, a school board's jurisdiction does not trump the authority of a State Legislature. But…
"'People are trying to make this into a debate that it isn't,' said Medford School Board President Mike Moran. 'This is not about the Second Amendment (the right to bear arms). We are defending our right as employers and maintaining student safety.'
Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, said the Legislature needs to clarify the law. She plans to sponsor a bill that would specifically authorize school districts to ban weapons on campuses even by permit holders. She has pitched similar proposals in past sessions since 2001, but all were defeated.
Funded by the Oregon Firearms Educational Foundation, the teacher's lawsuit has fueled the debate over the merit of armed teachers in preventing massacres like those at Virginia Tech in April and Columbine High School in Colorado.
Proponents contend teachers with guns could help avert school shootings or reduce death tolls.
Source:
Mail Tribune Article
Commentary:
To paraphrase a Star Trek™ phase, "The wants of the one and the politics of the few outweigh the needs of the many.
Or…
What does it matter if a few children are caught in the crossfire, we should expect some collateral damage in the war to protect individual rights and the freedom to bear arms.
Stress-Free Sanctuaries?
Let's add another stress to our children's' school career by alerting them to the fact that their teachers are carrying guns.
And, if students are legally certified to carry concealed handguns, won't they demand equal rights on our campuses.
What right do our campuses have to be safe havens and bastions of love and caring? The demonstration and teaching of Morals, Values and Religious principals are unconstitutional, and threaten to tear away the fabric of our society.
Teachers can be fired for praying, but will have the legal right to carry a Glock™
Sidebar
A Glock™ is not an ordinary pistol.
Here is some background information about this weapon.
(Note: 9mm stands for the diameter of the bullet. This means that the bullet is .35 inches in diameter. A thinner bullet means that more bullets can fit in the magazine that holds them. These are the objects that you see in the movies and the shooter drops one out and installs another. The other factor to consider about a bullet is how long it is. The longer the bullet, the heavier. The heavier the bullet, the more "punch" that it packs when it hits its target.)
"The 9mm Glocks are generally preferred by those who have less experience and are not planning to shoot a lot. Conversely, the more experienced shooters who do shoot a lot enjoy cheaper ammo prices. Many Shooters advocate the Glock 9mm for a variety of other reasons.
On the plus side, ammo for the 9mm is plenty and considerably cheaper than other Glock ammo It's also reliability, more controllability, has greater magazine capacity with high capacity mags (still available, but getting very pricey). The 9mm is used by military armed forces around the world. Many claimed it to be equal to .40 S&W and .45 Auto stopping power with the current best loads…
MINUS FOR 9MM
It's limited choice and availability of good defense loads. For instance the +P+ loads are generally sold to law enforcement agencies (LEA's) only, but you can, occasionally, find them at gun shows and ammo distributors. A Glock 9mm with the right load is an adequate and fine PDW.
Translation: This is a "military grade" weapon with the capacity to hold a lot of bullets with "stopping power", i.e., inflict maximum damage. The 9MM
Tactical Weapons
Just think of how many shots a teacher can get off when protecting themselves. It is only necessary to aim in the general direction of the attacker. Then, as the teacher keeps pulling the trigger, one shot is bound to hit the attacker. And, with the right bullets, one shot that connects with the attacker is enough to "stop them in their tracks."
Of course, those other shots that miss the attacker are where the collateral damage comes in. Even if children don't step in between the teacher and the attacker, they might be running and screaming behind the attacker. Or, they might be in lock down in a room behind the attacker.
Sidebar
Many modern school building are constructed with non-load-bearing walls. This means that beams inside the wall holds the ceiling up. This also means that most of these walls are hollow.
In addition, portable buildings consist of thin paneling with insulation sandwiched between the inner and outer shells. This means that the walls of portable buildings are easy to penetrate, too.
Why so Much Detail
This article delves into so much detail so that you understand the full impact of this news item.
This lawsuit is about bringing a military-style weapon into a school, not about bringing an ordinary, run-of-the-mill gun.
This is the kind of weapon that erstwhile school attackers and terrorists would lust and drool over. Just imagine what those crazed and demented school shooters in Colorado and Virginia could have done if they had one of these beauties.
So, while we uphold the individual rights of one teacher, let's fund a new "Violence Prevention Program." But,where are we going to find the money for the program and its bureaucracy, you ask? Easy, we can take the money from family planning and sex education programs.
And where are we going to find people to teach these courses, you ask? Easy, we will have a regiment of teachers who are already legally certified to carry weapons.
Aren't weapons the best tool for deterring violence? But wait, these weapons will be concealed.
So, start your lobbying engines. Once guns are allowed in schools, people who carry guns in plain view, i.e., in holsters on their belts like cowboys, deserve equal rights…
