Villalba: Allow Teachers to Carry Concealed Guns
In response to last week's Connecticut school shooting, state Rep.-elect Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, says he will file legislation to allow public school teachers to carry concealed weapons while on campus.
The bill, which Villalba is calling the Protection of Texas Children Act, would permit Texas schools to appoint a member of their faculty as a "school marshal." The marshal, with training and certification, would be able to "use lethal force upon the occurrence of an attack in the classroom or elsewhere on campus," according to a press release from Villalba, a newly elected state representative.
“Unfortunately, law enforcement ...
Comments (222)
David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook
no
Jon Perry via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The President wants to examine the gun laws and perhaps make changes. It is hypocrisy to me that he makes these comments in public, yet his drone strikes have killed more than 60,000 innocent women and children.
I'm not trying to get into a debate on gun laws, but concealed handgun licensed (CHL) citizens obey the law. If a bar has a 51% sign, we leave the gun outside. If a restaurant of movie theater has a sign No Guns, we either leave the gun or frequent another business.
In Texas, a licensed concealed handgun citizen cannot bring a gun into a school. Period. We don't. CHL citizens have been background checked, vetted and fingerprinted.
I don't own an Assault Rifle and frankly, don't believe they are necessary, for me.
I rarely agree with the demagoguery of Gov Rick Perry, but his and Rep. Jason Villalba recommendations have merit. These sick and twisted shooters hit soft targets where they know there will be no resistance and sufficient time to conduct their evil before first responders can arrive.
Mike Moeller via Texas Tribune on Facebook
That God, a politician who has common sense. I did not think such a thing was possible.
James Chapman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Moronic.
Tim Thomas via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I definitely would petition the school board to put in place a policy to fire any teacher who applied for a concealed carry licenses in a school.
Jeff Scroggin via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I don't want guns at schools, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Fix the problem with crazy people getting guns and then shooting people. Guns not being in schools is not the issue here.
John Shanahan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Just what we need -- High Noon at the schoolhouse!
Matt Stillwell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Hell no. There are so many crazy kids in school, no way do I want a gun in my kid's classroom. There's been far too many school shootings, but they are still way too unlikely to happen to justify the danger of a loaded gun in a classroom. Idiotic. The solution to a societal mental health problem is not more guns.
Antonio Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"common sense" LOL.
Donna Pazdera via Texas Tribune on Facebook
God, no.
It seems like you will exponentially increase the odds of people accidentally getting shot if they do this. Unless teachers somehow get time to practice regularly on the target range (and we all know how much free time they have), this just seems like a bad, knee-jerk reaction.
D Karen Wilkerson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Hell no!
Cara Mendelsohn via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We would all be better served if he filed a bill to move Texas from being ranked the worst funded mental health state in the US. Can we at least strive to be 49th?
Blaze Wynndham via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It's an accident waiting to happen and I don't have the patience to homeschool
Jake Thomas via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A great idea.
Jaye Ramsey Sutter via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It isn't an accident waiting to happen. It is another mass shooting waiting to happen. What if a determined person takes the gun away from a teacher--who no one has said needs tactical training to stop a shooter--what if someone takes his or her gun away and uses it on members of the class. Who stops them? We need more police on campuses. They usually have vests and tactical training. This is utter Bruce Willis movie fantasy--have we really traded reality for fantasy? We need to increase mental health funding to pre-Reagan levels adjusted for inflation and reopen state hospitals and make MHMR a visible presence in every community in Texas. Oh wait that would take higher taxes and we won't spend that to save anyone's life. People like this state of life and will not change. We have school shootings on a regular basis--Charles Whitman ring any tower bells? Gov. Connelly--who was shot himself in 1963-- and the UT administration pleaded with the Legislature to help with medical and psychological counseling for the victims of the shooting. Nothing happened. Whitman sought counseling for his violent thoughts and was allowed to leave campus with a prescription for Valium. The Austin State Hospital was just up the street. A responsibly trained medical community would have taken him there or sought a probate judge to commit him. It is time to get serious about the mental health crisis in this country. Then we can talk about the guns.
Jackie Girouard via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I don't think this is the way to go at all. Let's try a few other ideas first.
Kelly Haynes via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Disgraceful.
Ed Kless via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The Libertarian Party of Texas is conducting a poll on this as well. Vote here: --> https://www.facebook.com/questions/10151243404154079/
Jim Coloma via Texas Tribune on Facebook
accidents would be fare more acceptable than mass murders don't you all think so?
Dorothy Spriggs via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Such a bad idea. Can't believe this as a long time teacher!!!! Do not let this happen.!
Debbie Little Wilson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Good grief... thats all we need... let's teach our children that they must always be on the defensive, that they must carry a gun to protect themselves at all times. I know this is Texas but we are not the wild west any more. This is just plain wrong!!!!!!!!
Laura Lozano via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The shooter had on body armor. He was well prepared. will we then train the teachers to be sharpshooters? Lets be practical here.
Dorothy Spriggs via Texas Tribune on Facebook
another example of people who do not understand education making rules that are extreme, harsh and ridiculous!
Debbie Mason via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Instead how about metal detectors at the doors. Just what we need guns in schools how about the kids carrying them, the custodians all schools, bus drives ,crossing guards and so on? Having a gun is not the solution. Oh and dont forget all parents have to carrying one on campus also and volunteers. This is a horrible idea. If you have metal detectors at the door they cant get in with it can they?
Jim Coloma via Texas Tribune on Facebook
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/c67.0.403.403/p403x403/532015_404523972958845_762037047_n.jpg
Jon Harvey via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Horrible. Be ready for "Friendly Fire Kills Student" reports if it happens.
Kelly Harlan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The only logical deterrent to the evil people who commit these crimes is the superior firepower of their opposition. Your arguments against teachers having guns are the same failed arguments that were made against concealed handgun laws to begin with, and they have blatantly been proven false by reality.
Robert G.H. McCausland via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What Cheryl Wheeler said:
"The notion that teachers should be armed is so... ill-considered. Women drawn to educating little children might not be interested in weaponry. If we need armaments in kindergartens, take some of the police officers off pot smoker detail."
Les Stevens via Texas Tribune on Facebook
More Texas idiocy.
Kelly Harlan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
When is the last time you heard of a mass shooting at a gun range, gun club, gun store or gun show?
Sheri Alexander via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I am a TEACHER NOT A GUARD OR SOLDIER OR TRAINED BODYGUARD!!!!! WRONG!!! HE'S GETTING HIS IDEAS FROM MOVIE PLOTS NOT REALITY!!!! Calling and writing his office ASAP everday. Ridiculous bullshit.
Belinda G Acosta via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Good GAWD!
Rose Recio via Texas Tribune on Facebook
SERIOUSLY!!???!! What a complete ass!!! THIS is why their are on campus POLICE officers!!!! Duh!!! Teachers with guns is an asinine notion. We don't need MORE guns we need stricter gun control!!! NO ONE in their right mind needs an assault rifle to hunt deer!!! WHAT??? Is Bambi to much of a challenge for you??? What kind of hunter needs an uzi to outsmart a deer???
Sheri Alexander via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What do you know...teachers commenting they don't want this. Fuck u to the gun advocates n politicians wanting to ARM teachers WITHOUT GETTING INPUT FROM US! Don't tell us how to feel get your guns out of the class! There needs to be an education revolution in America those hero teachers deserve action and change. I'm standing up as a very angry and said teacher NO GUNS FOR TEACHERS. I wouldn't work beside those who would want them.
Shannen King Shapiro via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Sounds like a good reason to homeschool.
Michael Coffelt via Texas Tribune on Facebook
more guns are certainly not the answer. smh
Michael R Trice via Texas Tribune on Facebook
How about they approve additional school spending and hire professionals while also hiring more teachers?
Erica R. Contreras via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This is the dumbest idea ever. Teachers should continue to teach and inspire. More guns are NOT the answer at all. I'm ashamed we are even considering this idea.
Aldo Merino via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Texas legislators are so far in the pockets of the NRA, it's not even funny. Sen. Wentworth tried to pass somewhat related legislation in the wake of the UVA shootings, and it, thankfully, failed.
Law enforcement doesn't want this, students don't want this, teachers don't want this, and most parents don't want this. The only people who tend to want this sort of thing tend to be a small, but vocal, subset of gun advocates. It doesn't address the issue whatsoever, but it sure does advance an agenda that has been pushed too far to the extreme, and with predictable consequences.
Benjamin Collins via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Absolutely we should do that. We should go further: any licensed individual should be allowed to carry on campus, just like one can at any other public place. Banning CW from schools is like painting a giant target them.
Meme Me
YES
Christine Carey via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This should be a discussion about access to appropriate special education services in Texas schools. This should be a discussion about the $90 million education dollars that go to private attorneys each year, including many who are getting rich rich rich off special education conflicts. This should be a discussion about the 5th circuit in New Orleans that is hopelessly biased toward schools (lifetime appointments, too!) and prevents fair due process rulings from occurring. The district will appeal, and eventually you will wind up in the 5th circuit.
Lanza's mother, like many parents in Texas, quit her job to educate her son at home after years of battling the school over his educational needs.
This is not a gun issue unless you're a politician who is foaming at the mouth over the latest patronage, potential funds and the adorable, sympathetic poster child for the latest gigantic graft scheme.
Ronnie Odom via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Think there is already a law on the books that allows it if a district allows it. As a former principal and teacher. That is what the security guards are for. And they go through rigorous training before being allowed to serve in that capacity. Anybody for adding 12 weeks of basic combat training to the college curriculum. That makes as much sense.
Mike Moeller via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@Aldo, oh no, unlike you, Texas Legislators have respect for the 2nd Amendment.
Véronique Ramírez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rep. Villalba OBVIOUSLY has never step foot in a school during operating hours!! Some teacher's patience are already running thin, plus studies shown educators are among the highest employees who suffer from stress.
I say, deal with safety issues at school first including drills, safety exits, perhaps alarm buttons & working cameras.
I would just make sure if ANY faculty or staff member ia going to carry a gun on campus, PLEASE make them undergo rigorous mental exams and store the weapon in a safe high above where any student can reach it.
Philip Welsh via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Terrible idea for sure....period.
Joshua Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think there are already laws in place that allow a school district to make this call on their own (Harrold ISD has a CHL policy) Not all campuses have police officers and rely on local LEOs which are often too far from campus to be effective in a timely manner. On a separate note, Rose should read a little history, the second amendment's intent wasn't for hunters or sportsmen it is a final fail safe to protect citizens from a tyrannical government. When it was written law abiding citizens and the military had access to equivalent arms technology for that reason. We don't need any more gun laws, we need to enforce the ones on the books. The mother, in the case of Sandy Hook, provided access to a mentally unstable person. That is already against the law.
Véronique Ramírez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
No shit, Shannen!
Aaron Harris via Texas Tribune on Facebook
So what you people are saying is if an armed gunman enters a school you would prefer he have free rain to kill innocent children until to cops show up 10 or 15 minutes later rather than an armed citizen put a stop to the situation saving countless lives! You are truly sick people. I would rather save children's lives.
Lindsay Siriko via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The Campus Police Chief must enforce the Gun Control Law to assure School children, parents, teachers and the communities are safe !
Kathy Schmidt via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Excuse me, but has everyone forgotten Nov 5th, 2009? A man killed 13 people and injured 29. On the largest military base in the US. It would be fair to assume that his victims were well trained in the use of firearms. Arming our teachers is NOT the answer.
Christine Carey via Texas Tribune on Facebook
That said, start sticking guns in classrooms, and you can say goodbye to our 3 little chunks of funding.
A simple solution to both of these issues is vouchers. Not the squirrelly kind that has Hispanic and military (why?) children in private preschools across the state - the kind where the money goes through the administration first so they get their massive cut. The kind of voucher where 100% of the money follows the child to wherever the parent chooses. We'll be a school providing appropriate special education, a school that knows how to lock a dang door, a school that doesn't play cowboys and indians with live ammo.
Ananth Prabhala via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think they should have a gun containing limited ammo accessible with a alarm somewhat like a fire alarm. So when 'the glass is broken' authorities are immediately notified.
Martha Dunkelberger via Texas Tribune on Facebook
ABSOLUTELY moronic.
Véronique Ramírez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I don't know, man. This is such a touchy subject. Why don't schools look into hiring campus security? Can it be that costly?
Tony Carver via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Texas Politicians must be thinking that there is an over population of k-12 students because it sure seems this would serve no purpose other than "thinning out the herd" so to speak. Also an effective way to make cuts to education spending. Parents will either be pulling their kids out of school or there will be less of them breathing to send to school. They are now going to try and literally kill public education. ( of course this is an absurd remark...no more so than the mention of arming teachers with any weapon ever! Because what every parent dreams of is that first day when you get to dress your 5 year old and send them into a war zone!)
Meme Me
The criminals will always get the guns no matter what laws you pass to prevent the citizens from arming and protecting themselves..
Look at Mexico....
Kathy Schmidt via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And where, pray tell, does the fine representative plan to find funding for this? Does he expect teachers to pay for the training and the firearms? Sure why not, they already have to pay for paper and crayons out of their own pockets. Good Lord, they cut 5.4 billion dollars from public education, but they think they can find the money to do this? Good grief.
Fernando Perez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Ridiculous.
Christine Carey via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This isn't about killing public education, Tony. This is about increasing funding that will never ever ever make it to the rotten trailer classroom.
Maricela Gonzalez Rios via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Is BS!
Elaine Wiant via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I can't believe he will be my state rep. God help us all.
Sonora Hartley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The teachers I know arm themselves with knowledge but I'm sure there are some who would arm themselves with a gun, also.
Rob Turk via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Teachers, administrators, parents, volunteers, etc. who meet qualifications and are trained to be safe should absolutely be armed. It is past time in America to end the so-called 'gun free zones' that just tell the bad guys where to hunt without anyone challenging them or being equipped to stop them. Gun-free zones have failed to stop mass-murder in multiple cases, most recently in Connecticut but also Virginia Tech and Aurora, etc.
Craig Bennett Sr. via Texas Tribune on Facebook
How about a pro-choice educational voucher system that lets parents choose between sending their children to an armed vs unarmed school? The teachers can then also choose where they want to work.
Ben Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Lunatic thinking!
Dustin Parks via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Because MORE guns causes LESS violence? Can somebody please explain the math on this.
Felipe Gutierrez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
They sell Marijuana on school grounds. I think teachers should start selling it supplement their incomes.
Mike Read via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And just when I though Louie "M4" Gohmert was the biggest moron in Congress. Must the GOP in this state compete with each other to see which of them can propose the most dangerous and idiotic pieces of legislation imaginable? This is a competition where the people lose, no matter which imbecilic Congress critter "wins."
Felipe Gutierrez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I do have a serious question. If all these crimes were committed by woman would we talking about gender? Should gender, mental health services and gun control all play equal roles? I'm not expert by any means.
Christine Carey via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Sounds like a great voucher bill in the works, Craig! Go for it, politicians. Then we can waste another session on nonsense. $$$$
Derrick N Ashley Coleman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This is one army vet thats for it!!!! If theyre trained? I dont see why not! I think we all should be able to carry concealed weapons, the way the world is going now a days, we need all the protection we can get! Knowledge wont stop bullets flying at your head!!! BEEN THERE DONE THAT, WONT DO THAT AGAIN!!! Ill keep my guns thank you
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
stupidity, arrogance, selfishness and dead wrong
Tony Carver via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@Rob, right on brother....if only there were an historical reference point in America, a time period for people to look back on when everyone was not only allowed but exspected to be carrying a gun, then they could just see how well that that whole arrangement was working before regulations caused all of this violence! If only America had had a wild frontier to settle in its past history where everyone actually was armed and then we could show how few people died by gun violence when everyone was holding. If only we had been through something like this before.....hum
Beth Montanez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I agree as well.That gunman in Connecticut would not have made it to the children if the Principal and Vice-Principal had had a weapon. And I think they should be armed-concealed so the children can't see the weapon, it should be on their person under a jacket at all times.
Ray Chappelle via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Kind of like responding to crazy with crazy. Maybe that's where we're at in 2012.
Derrick N Ashley Coleman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It wasn't arrogance and stupidity amd selfishness ma'am when my wide was car jacked AT GUNPOINT WITH OUR SON IN THE BACK SEAT AT A STOP LIGHT WHILE I WAS DEPLOYED AND SHE WAS 5HOURS AWAY DROM OUR HOME AND FAMILY AT MY DUTY STATION IN COLUMBUS GA. So no thank you, ill keep my guns! And her and my right to protect ourselves.
Aaron Harris via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Kathy - yes a gunman killed a bunch of people on a military base all of whom know how to use a gun....all of whom were also UNARMED. The base, like schools, is a gun free zone. Thus the problem. If they were armed he would have been stopped immediately, thus saving countless lives. I'm for saving lives.
Derrick N Ashley Coleman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Amen, Aaron Harris
Jane Pulaski via Texas Tribune on Facebook
So let me get this straight: they want teachers to keep the gun in their desk drawer? Or be armed and ready? Can we please vote stupid people out of office?
John S Boles via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The correct answer is it would not be an accident. It would be legislation complicit in the crime sure to occur.
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
the so-called logic that guns don't kill people, people do is similar to the idiotic notion that rapists don't rape people, penises do....
Lindsy Dawn Simons via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yeah.. Lets just put them in cases in the halls like fire extinguishers... Dumb..
How about we just start giving a shit about the mental health status of the people in this country. And then start getting rid of assault weapons.. And whoever gets a gun has to have a home meeting and mental health background check for a household as well as a short psyche eval..
The animal shelter wants to know and even meet your other pets and family before you take a damn cat home.. Why should a lethal weapon be different?
Mario Jeremic via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Sad day in America we wake up only when a when innocent people or kids are killd
Tony Carver via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@Derrick your car was succesfully car jacked, where was your gun that day? How is a successful car jacking an example of how more guns work?
Jim Wier via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Accident waiting to happen.
Derrick N Ashley Coleman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I was depolyed, she on the other hand did not have one, BUT SHE DOES NOW!
Derrick N Ashley Coleman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Had she had a gun, she would used it, my wife was raised on farm, hunts, shes a good shot. While wile riding with her friend, had she had a gun she would used it. She has one now, and she will use it next time when someone walks up to the car with gun pointed. I would call that an unsuccesful carjacking! & kid napping!!!
Seth Pfaff via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What's to say a child won't manage to get into the teachers drawer and play cops and robbers and shoot another child?
Mikael Garcia via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Lol. I don't even know why I bother with y'all anymore. This is great legislation. Why shouldn't a teacher have a right to protect their children? The fact that teachers aren't allowed to carry is why none of my children will ever step foot in a public school. Gun-free zones... you might as well put a big red bullseye on a map for a gunman. Oh, and Luisa Newton, regarding your penis analogy... I seem to have been gaining a bit of weight lately... it must've been my spoon that made me fat.
Steven Felfe via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What would happen if you have a elementary student bring in a loaded pistol (with possible intent to do harm or maybe already firing off shots) but you have say the principal packing. What would be the appropriate action for the principal in that situation?.Or teacher if that teacher was carrying?
Gary Meo via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Insanity.
Derrick N Ashley Coleman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I honestly believe here before too long they will need gun/ wacko in the school drills like practice fire drills bc this shit is rediculous if our teachers cant protect our future/kids!
Mark Lehman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
With proper training, I mean all people should have to have training with fire arms. Their would be a reduction in these types of rampages. And if you do not carry your weapon to protect yourself, then why have one. When people know you are armed, and you know how to use your weapon, statics show a reduction in crime. Do I believe everything I read on the web, no. but read for yourself... http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/weekinreview/29liptak.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Lindsy Dawn Simons via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And what about non-violent felons? Are they going to be allowed to carry if every single person is allowed to have one?
Mikael Garcia via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If someone is shooting at you with the intent to kill, I believe the appropriate action is to immobilize the shooter in any way possible, no matter if they are aged 3, 8, 12... 35. Age is irrelevant -- the goal is to stop the shooting at all costs, because more shots mean more lives lost. Police simply do not respond in time to prevent these things from happening, and frankly, teachers shouldn't trust a police officer with others lives in that situation.
Just look at what happened in NYC a few months ago. Two cops were trying to gun down a murderer and ended up shooting NINE innocent bystanders in the process.
Brian Normoyle via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Preposterous nonsense. That boy used a military-style assault rifle. If the teachers or principal at Sandy Hook had a handgun they would have died with a gun in their hand and 20 children would still be dead.
This good-ole-boy irrationality that more guns prevents such tragedies is getting rather tiresome.
Randall Swope via Texas Tribune on Facebook
How about teachers stick to education and the police go with the packed heat?
A Lerma Stickelbault via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"Teacher guns down student, accidentally."
Derrick N Ashley Coleman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He used two hand guns he never got to his assault rifle. And im sorry, but if someone wants to go on killing spree, they will whether it involves guns, knives...china n 22kids stabbed the same day, or bombs look at the all the bombings... Fertilizer and racing fuel is still legal to buy, knives in china are still legal, so why are even thinking about taking guns?! Thats whats stupid! Guns dont kill people... Its just like blambing pens for misspelled words... Its not the pen, its not the gun, its idiot behind it!