Guns in schools
Kopel looks at arming teachers:
The good news is that, since Columbine, police tactics in school attacks have dramatically changed. At Columbine, the armed “school resource officer” refused to pursue the killers into the building, and kept himself safe outside while the murders were going on inside. Even after SWAT teams arrived, and while, via an open 911 line, the authorities knew that students were being methodically executed in the library, the police stood idle just a few yards outside the library.
This was touched on at the Gun Blogger Conference by retired law enforcement officer Rivrdog. He noted that the trend in law enforcement is to contain the threat and not confront it. This is bad when people in the threatened area are being killed. Additionally, someone opined that the new officer creed of go home tonight is what has lead to this strategy and to the militarization of police.
My thoughts: tough shit. You signed up for the job knowing what you were getting into. So, get your ass in there and save some kids.
October 11th, 2006 at 11:01 am
“…Tough shit. You signed up for the job knowing what you were getting into. So, get your ass in there and save some kids.”
Or, damn your eyes, get out of the way, and let the school rifle and pistol team do it themselves.
October 11th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
Israel solved the problem of terrorists killing kids in their schools long ago–by allowing principals and teachers to be armed. Criminals, terrorists, etc. prey on unarmed victims. The gun-free zones of schools make them readily available. But officialdom in its attitude of arrogant elitism here would rather continue the anti- armed self defense prejudice and bigotry than do what works for the people and their children.
October 11th, 2006 at 6:38 pm
I imagine part of it is along the lines of “If we go in there and anyone is killed or injured in the process or aftermath, we’re (the department , city, school district, and/or us personally) going to get sued for a gazillion dollars for not doing the impossible and instantly, magically preventing any injury”.
Whereas it’s established jurisprudence that the Police cannot be sued for not acting to protect you in general or being overcautious, as I understand things.
I expect legislation preventing such suits except in cases of legally proven serious negligence or malfeasance would help.