[red-beard]

Let's see if it get published! Sent to the Wall Street Journal.

The Tragedy of School Shootings

As with the terrorists of 9/11, the shooters in the schools used our own rules and regulations against us. More gun control will not prevent tragedies like these. It appears some would like to create a “Sterile” environment for our schools, not unlike those in our airports. Do we really want a TSA like checkpoint environment for our school children? Must we force every child to remove their shoes and belt and pass through metal detectors while x-raying their bags, every time they enter a school?

Maybe we need to turn this situation on its head. After 9/11, pilots were given the choice of arming themselves. They were given the choice, so as to better protect the passengers under their care. Why not give teachers this same choice? Training, and passing the same requirements as anyone licensed to carry a concealed firearm, would be mandatory.

Gun Free School zones prevent only law abiding citizens from possessing firearms and prevent “The Good Guys” from protecting themselves and other innocents. The crazies who perform these acts know this and that no one can stop them. If 2% of the teachers elected to carry concealed weapons, this might be a deterrent. Israel and Thailand already allow this. A brave legislator in Wisconsin, Rep. Frank Lasee, R-Bellevue, has suggested we try this.

Will this, or any other legislation, 100% prevent tragedies such as these? Of course not! But a few properly trained individuals would significantly deter, and will definitely minimize the magnitude of, these horrific events.

James Tomlinson
A licensed citizen
Houston, TX