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VIDEO Teacher & Former Marine On Arming Educators: 'I Think It’s A Horrible Idea' | Velshi & Ruhle | MSNBC
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Teacher & Former Marine On Arming Educators: 'I Think It’s A Horrible Idea'
In a compelling discussion on MSNBC, former Marine and current 7th-grade English teacher Alexis Underwood shares her strong opposition to the idea of arming teachers as a means to enhance school safety. She explains her stance based on two main concerns: competency and trust.
Underwood argues that although she has received extensive combat training as a Marine, typical teachers lack the luxury of being able to train consistently, making it unrealistic for them to be armed in a classroom setting. She emphasizes that armed teachers would not necessarily deter threats or make students safer—an assertion backed by the sheer number of teachers that would need to be armed if the strategy were adopted widely.
One startling statistic she notes is that if 20% of public school teachers were armed, that would equate to over 600,000 teachers across the nation, surpassing the total number of active-duty soldiers in the U.S. Army. Underwood advocates instead for hiring qualified law enforcement officers to ensure safety on campuses, suggesting that this approach would be more effective without compromising educational budgets or student services.
Additionally, the discussion touches on the financial burden of implementing such safety measures, with Underwood highlighting the tight budgets schools operate under. She points out that funds allocated for arming teachers would detract from important educational programs.
In terms of preparedness for potential threats, Underwood mentions that regular drills are essential for both teachers and students to foster an effective response in crisis situations. She acknowledges the existing fear among educators regarding school safety but firmly believes that arming teachers is not a viable solution.
This conversation invites broader discussions about school safety, the role of teachers, and the complex issues surrounding gun control in America. What are your thoughts on this topic? Would arming teachers really enhance safety, or do you align with Underwood's perspective? Share your views below!
For further reading, check out related threads discussing school safety policies and the impacts of proposed legislation in our community.
In a compelling discussion on MSNBC, former Marine and current 7th-grade English teacher Alexis Underwood shares her strong opposition to the idea of arming teachers as a means to enhance school safety. She explains her stance based on two main concerns: competency and trust.
Underwood argues that although she has received extensive combat training as a Marine, typical teachers lack the luxury of being able to train consistently, making it unrealistic for them to be armed in a classroom setting. She emphasizes that armed teachers would not necessarily deter threats or make students safer—an assertion backed by the sheer number of teachers that would need to be armed if the strategy were adopted widely.
One startling statistic she notes is that if 20% of public school teachers were armed, that would equate to over 600,000 teachers across the nation, surpassing the total number of active-duty soldiers in the U.S. Army. Underwood advocates instead for hiring qualified law enforcement officers to ensure safety on campuses, suggesting that this approach would be more effective without compromising educational budgets or student services.
Additionally, the discussion touches on the financial burden of implementing such safety measures, with Underwood highlighting the tight budgets schools operate under. She points out that funds allocated for arming teachers would detract from important educational programs.
In terms of preparedness for potential threats, Underwood mentions that regular drills are essential for both teachers and students to foster an effective response in crisis situations. She acknowledges the existing fear among educators regarding school safety but firmly believes that arming teachers is not a viable solution.
This conversation invites broader discussions about school safety, the role of teachers, and the complex issues surrounding gun control in America. What are your thoughts on this topic? Would arming teachers really enhance safety, or do you align with Underwood's perspective? Share your views below!
For further reading, check out related threads discussing school safety policies and the impacts of proposed legislation in our community.