Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST VALLEY CITY — Should teachers have guns? Would that have stopped the Massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary?
The Utah Shooting Sports Council and the Utah-based website opsgear.com seem to have an answer: Yes. That's why they're offering a free class to Utah's teachers, as well as anyone who works on school grounds, according to Clark Aposhian, who will be conducting part of the training.
They're calling the class "Safe to learn. Safe to teach," and providing not only permit training, but also some basic training in handling firearms which emphasize safety, according to Aposhian.
Utah is one of two states that allow guns on public school campuses, the other being Kansas. Aposhian, who is also the chairman of the USSC, said that the lack of a school shooting in Utah shows that allowing guns on campuses does not necessarily lead to more gun problems at schools. He also said they weren't necessarily trying to put more firearms on campuses throughout the state either.
I don't understand the logic that having more guns will create less gun problems.
–Cassie Stoneman, former Utah public school teacher
"Make no mistake, we're not trying to arm teachers, it's completely up to them," Aposhian said. "The only reason to offer this kind of class is if we're serious and committed to protecting our kids."
Not everyone agrees. Former Utah special education teacher Cassie Stoneman said she would never support that idea and that guns should be an absolute last resort.
"I would be terrified that one of my students would find my weapon and bring it out," Stoneman said.
She also said that being armed while teaching could lead to difficult discussions about why a teacher had a gun that weren't relevant to learning.
"I don't understand the logic that having more guns will create less gun problems," she said.
Granite School District spokesperson Ben Horsley said that the district knows of several teachers and administrators who have concealed carry permits, but that the district doesn't track whether they bring their weapons on campus, and they wouldn't want to either.
"Teachers, according to law, are allowed to carry concealed permits and weapons, and if they choose to do so, they are allowed to do so," Horsley said.
However, there are specific policies that teachers have to abide by, including having the weapon on their person at all times.
Related:
Would more teachers with guns make schools safer?
More guns in the hands of teachers and administrators could effectively make schools safer and better prepared for active shooters, a Utah gun instructor said."District policy is very specific that weapons cannot be stored on campus," he said, meaning they can't be left in a cabinet, desk or any other location. Horsley said this was to make sure a student couldn't accidentally get hold of a weapon.
Davis School District spokesperson Chris told KSL his district also requires teachers to have their weapon on them at all times, and that they encourage teachers to inform their principal when they are carrying because they feel unsafe.
Aposhian didn't say that an armed teacher would definitely have stopped the killer in Newtown Conn., but he said the rampage shows what happens when teachers are unarmed and must wait for law enforcement to arrive.
"It's somewhat pollyannic to say we don't need more guns in schools," Aposhian said. "I mean, who do they call when there's a school shooting? People with guns. We expect them so show up and bring their guns."
For more information on how to sign up for the class, go the the USSC website.
