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Response to Betsy DeVos allegedly looking into giving teachers firearms.

     Until it appeared on our first current events quiz, I was unaware that the possibility of arming teachers with guns was truly being looked into. Although it is still just being researched and not actually happening right now, Mr. Miller believes it eventually will, even though the concept is very flawed. He explained that as a teacher he would not be comfortable in possession of a gun nor having students in close proximity to them. The class discussed the possible issues with having guns in schools; a misfiring, a student taking one for his or her own use, poor personal judgement for when it is appropriate to use, the list goes on. I believe this class discussion was crucial to have. Every student should be aware of something that has the potential to effect us so dramatically. We also should have the space to freely discuss how we feel about it. The discussion we had was brought to our class in the right proportion and gave all of us the base information we need but as the story develops I believe it should be brought back up.
     More personally, I believe bringing guns into schools is a disastrous idea with no legal grounds to support it. The Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants, a $1 billion dollar program created in  2015, is where the National Department of Education would get the funds to provide school teachers with guns. The explicit purpose of the program is to provide a well rounded education, improve school conditions for learning, and improve the use of technology for digital literacy. Although the grants give school districts the power to create policies based on their specific needs, the "drug and violence prevention" section names safe schools as weapon free. According to the New York Times, department officials are also aware that the purchase of these firearms would be the first time a federal agency has authorized the purchase of weapons without congressional mandate. Furthermore, purchasing firearms for schools would go against the School Safety Bill which prohibits their use. Although Betsy DeVos could technically use her discretion to bring guns into schools nationwide, it would be blatantly unethical. There is no logic behind bringing more guns into schools when guns are the issue to begin with. Most gun supporters would argue that it's not the guns fault, its the persons but what makes a teacher qualified to use a gun when they are trained to teach? We would be putting thousands of lives at risk. Most importantly, Students should have the first say on if they believe it is the most safe choice. Many may feel that having guns nearby would disrupt their peace and distract their learning. It is our lives at risk and we deserve a voice.  

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