Philly Teachers Respond to Calls for Guns in Schools

Photo via @sarahplumitallo/Twitter

In the wake of the Florida school shooting, one of the deadliest in modern American history, conservative legislators and others say they want to arm teachers with guns.

President Donald Trump recently said he would consider allowing teachers to arm themselves and undergo gun training, claiming that people who carry out school shootings are “cowards … They’re not going to walk into a school if 20 percent of the teachers have guns,” according to CNN. Just outside Philly in Delaware County, Upper Darby police superintendent Michael Chitwood touted the idea on Monday, per 6ABC, arguing that teachers would be able to fight back if a shooter entered their school.

Pennsylvania law does not allow anyone to carry guns on school grounds, despite some unsuccessful bills proposed by Republicans that have attempted to change that. But across the country, lawmakers in at least half-a-dozen states, including Florida, are considering easing restrictions on firearms on campus.

The problem? Many teachers don’t want to be armed. They, as well as some students who lived last week’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, believe militarizing schools would only actually exacerbate the problem, especially considering the fact that many teachers fear they wouldn’t know how to handle a weapon in such a high-intensity scenario. (It’s worth noting that the only armed sheriff deputy at the school where the shooting occurred took cover when the massacre began and never went in the building to attempt to stop the killing, according to the county’s sheriff.)

Teachers across the country and in Philly and New Jersey are using #ArmMeWith on Twitter to stand against calls for guns in schools. Seems like, for the most part, they’d rather be equipped with resources and funding to help students experiencing racial inequity and mental health issues – and more school supplies.

Public school parent and educator here. I do not want “hardened” schools. #phled #ArmMeWith https://t.co/LfpE4iRhd3

— Hillary Linardopoulos (@MrsL132) February 22, 2018

I’m a special ed teacher. #ArmMeWith pencils, glue sticks, diverse books, smaller caseloads, more counselors, double the time to teach socio-emotional health, or literally ANYTHING that would help my students grow. No weapons please.

— Colleen (@colleeeen_mcg) February 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/bethune_sdp/status/966874750042636289

https://twitter.com/devon_murtagh/status/966879944436404224

I wrote about why the answer to gun violence isn't more guns in schools, and what you could #ArmMeWith instead. #NeverAgain #phled https://t.co/jO1L8x5BIR

— Valerie Braman (@vbraman) February 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/kelseybogan/status/966831678089060353

I’m a teacher. #ArmMeWith more school counselors, more time for teaching conflict resolution and coping strategies for difficult emotions, AND EDUCATIONAL EQUITY FOR OUR BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN WHOSE SCHOOLS OFTEN ALREADY HAVE METAL DETECTORS BUT MINIMAL RESOURCES

— Erin Edinger-Turoff (@erinJustineET) February 22, 2018

https://twitter.com/mrsvolc/status/966132495912759296

#ArmMeWith #jointhemovement #scchat #eschat pic.twitter.com/ljDUJ5E6PW

— Jaclyn McAnany (@Ms_J_McAnany) February 22, 2018

https://twitter.com/sarasmile928/status/966646247670140928

#ArmMeWith way more psychologists, social workers, and counselors.

— Kathie Walsh (@KathieTomczuk) February 22, 2018