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Today's Poll: Should more money be spent on school security?

By Howard B. Owens
Should more money be spent on school security?

Albany Times-Union: Tougher security on way for schools

david spaulding

the schools,imho are already secure enough. to the yes voters,what would you like to see done to make schools more secure?or where you saying yes to spending more money?

Jan 17, 2013, 2:04pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Hello David, unfortunately our choices for securing schools is limited and is going to cost something (Nothings is for FREE.) and there is nothing full proof against attacks on our schools. LeRoy has an on duty officer and I am comfortable with that. I would like to see solid doors with narrow window strategically placed, away from the door handle at every entrance of the school and I would like windows to be narrow and place high enough so not to allow easy access into the school. At that time it might as well be like a prison.

Having an armed officer there is safer than allowing teachers to be armed. To me that would be insane to allow. If, teachers are allowed to be armed then, who would conduct and pay for weapons, weapons training, weapon qualifications (minimum twice a year), dealing with stressful situations and active shooter training? All that training would not be cost effective compare to a couple of LEOs. Camera systems, automated door locks and security systems are costly due to, installation, running the system, maintaining the system, training the operator of the system and technological breakdowns. Last of all at least the LEO would have a chance to eliminate the threat before, they cause maximum causalities or any for that matter.

Jan 17, 2013, 8:59pm Permalink
Peter O'Brien

Don't worry John, I am sure no one is walking around town with a gun in their pocket without semi annual pistol training....

Just allow them to bring in a pistol if they have one and want to. No cost, increased security, and a chance at educating kids that guns are tools. Like a hammer it can kill you, but it the right situation its handy.

People are afraid of guns because they left every day life. If you are around them, you lose your fear of them. If you shoot one, you never lose respect for what it can do.

Jan 17, 2013, 10:14pm Permalink
Daniel Neal

My idea has always been to have 2 or 3 armed teachers in the school , guns would be in a password protected box in their desk , so as to prevent a student from getting the gun if they were to decided to kill a classmate , the teacher would own the gun , and the school would reimburse the cost slowly over the period of employment (say $75 per semester) , training would be done on their own time and dime (under the thinking that if they own the gun they are obviously going to want to keep sharp on its use and their skill, just like i do with my rifles and shotguns) and have a set drill , done on a weekend , with paintball guns , simulate a situation , keep alert and be prepared.

Jan 18, 2013, 12:22am Permalink
david spaulding

so.......what you all are saying is.....the way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun.....hmmmm where did i hear that before? let us go a little bit further and teach the children how to use a firearm and they can protect themselfs...

Jan 18, 2013, 6:50am Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Ok before I make my comment, I want to apologize to Howard as it's content while sarcastic includes him. With that said here we go.

I love the way pro gun control people try to nullify the 2nd amendment by saying that it was written before todays technology and advancements were available for guns therefore it doesnt apply to them. Seems to make sense and seems to be a valid argument right? Well lets do a lil switcharoo and see if it stands up to being sensible.

Lets nullify the 1st amendment because after all it was written before todays tech and advancements with the internet, cell phones, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC were even thought of so it shouldnt apply to them.

The argument doesnt make so much sense now does it? Think about it for a moment.....

Next justification please?

Jan 18, 2013, 10:21am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

To me, a proposal to arm teachers is the same kind of extreme thinking, the same fallacious mind set, the drives gun prohibitionists.

The thinking is: OMG, gun violence is rampant in schools we MUST do something.

Gun violence in schools is horrific and should never happen, but it's also statistically thinking beyond rare.

There gun prohibitionist care nothing about individual rights.

Creating a security state is no better on the freedom front.

What are we doing to our society if we teach our kids fear? There is nothing can be done to stop the motivated lunatic, but meanwhile a bunch of kids who face greater danger getting in a car with any driver are being taught in school that it's a dangerous world and somebody is always out to get them. That would be the message of some of these security proposals.

The best way to protect children from all danger -- be it guns, riding in cars, getting hit by a car: keep them in the house. Home school them. Don't let them go outside and play with their friends.

Jan 18, 2013, 10:23am Permalink
david spaulding

life is full of risks,just the way it is..only guarantee in life is death. why does my government,my fellow citizens,feel that they need to protect me from every risk? seems most people know what is best for me,best for my children..stop the madness,quit telling me how i should live...i'm no wheres near afraid of dieing,it is something i have to do,something my children have to do.....if you feel you need to be safe from society and all risks,build yourself a utopia somewhere and leave me,the law abiding citizen,alone....don't tell me i can't protect myself,don't tell me i should call a person with a gun if i find myself in danger,they don't show up until the danger is over....

Jan 18, 2013, 12:03pm Permalink

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