2008 Woodie Awards
Wisconsin representative says teachers should carry guns
Online Exclusive
By: Shawn Dooley
Issue date: 10/26/06 Section: News
Since the rash of school shootings that have affected rural American schools, state legislators have spoke out about the idea of teachers carrying guns.
Rep. Frank Lasee, Republican from Wisconsin, said he plans to introduce legislation that would allow teachers, principals, administrators and other school personnel to carry concealed weapons. Lasee said the idea has worked effectively in other countries like Thailand and Israel, where teachers carry concealed weapons.
"It's an interesting idea worth discussing," said Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt, earlier this month after a KMOX reporter asked him about the proposal for teachers carry guns. He said the state legislation had already begun talking about the issue, and it could prompt legislation.
His comments sparked debate across Missouri with many newspapers writing articles about Blunt's statement. It caused his press officials to go on the offensive. Jessica Robinson, Blunt's press secretary, said many people had the impression that Blunt was backing the idea.
"His answer was taken out of context," Robinson said. "He is really interested in pursuing safe schools."
Jennifer Love, president of Campus Republicans, said it wasn't very responsible of Blunt to give the impression he was backing Lasee's idea that teachers should carry guns.
"I think he should look into other methods, not just guns, to curb the violence," Love said. "I think an idea should address the issue, not the reaction to the issue."
Robinson said Blunt is working with administrators, teachers and community members on broad range discussions to make schools safer. He doesn't want to limit any discussion outright.
"I don't think he should limit the discussion, but I don't think he should have come right out and said that guns were a possibility," said Patrick Vacek, president of the Anti-War Society. "I don't think there are any great solutions for violence in schools."
Gottlieb said he doesn't fear a school shooting at Webster or any university. He said he remembered the last university shooting happening in Texas in the 1960's.
"I am opposed to teachers carrying guns at any educational level," said Gary Gottlieb, electronic and photographic media professor. "Putting guns into an environment increases more than decreases the odds of violence."
Gottlieb hoped his students would be as uncomfortable as him if he wore a gun to class. Gottlieb said he did not understand how it would be appropriate for him to wear a gun to class, but not his students. He believes he shouldn't be held to a different standard than his students.
Lasee stressed that school employees would have to endure strict gun training on the use of weapons. He acknowledged that the legislation would have to work around gun concealment laws.
Missouri's Concealed Weapons Law states that you may not carry a concealed weapon in a school.
Rep. Frank Lasee, Republican from Wisconsin, said he plans to introduce legislation that would allow teachers, principals, administrators and other school personnel to carry concealed weapons. Lasee said the idea has worked effectively in other countries like Thailand and Israel, where teachers carry concealed weapons.
"It's an interesting idea worth discussing," said Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt, earlier this month after a KMOX reporter asked him about the proposal for teachers carry guns. He said the state legislation had already begun talking about the issue, and it could prompt legislation.
His comments sparked debate across Missouri with many newspapers writing articles about Blunt's statement. It caused his press officials to go on the offensive. Jessica Robinson, Blunt's press secretary, said many people had the impression that Blunt was backing the idea.
"His answer was taken out of context," Robinson said. "He is really interested in pursuing safe schools."
Jennifer Love, president of Campus Republicans, said it wasn't very responsible of Blunt to give the impression he was backing Lasee's idea that teachers should carry guns.
"I think he should look into other methods, not just guns, to curb the violence," Love said. "I think an idea should address the issue, not the reaction to the issue."
Robinson said Blunt is working with administrators, teachers and community members on broad range discussions to make schools safer. He doesn't want to limit any discussion outright.
"I don't think he should limit the discussion, but I don't think he should have come right out and said that guns were a possibility," said Patrick Vacek, president of the Anti-War Society. "I don't think there are any great solutions for violence in schools."
Gottlieb said he doesn't fear a school shooting at Webster or any university. He said he remembered the last university shooting happening in Texas in the 1960's.
"I am opposed to teachers carrying guns at any educational level," said Gary Gottlieb, electronic and photographic media professor. "Putting guns into an environment increases more than decreases the odds of violence."
Gottlieb hoped his students would be as uncomfortable as him if he wore a gun to class. Gottlieb said he did not understand how it would be appropriate for him to wear a gun to class, but not his students. He believes he shouldn't be held to a different standard than his students.
Lasee stressed that school employees would have to endure strict gun training on the use of weapons. He acknowledged that the legislation would have to work around gun concealment laws.
Missouri's Concealed Weapons Law states that you may not carry a concealed weapon in a school.
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