<p>exactly vlines!</p>
<p>Absolutely, mimk6. The idea of arming schoolteachers is absolutely preposterous and supremely impractical. (Maybe next we’ll hear proposals to issue miniature Glocks to every kindergarten child – yes, a few playground scuffles might get tragically out of hand, but, hey, one has to sacrifice to preserve our freedoms!) It’s a completely different subject from having armed guards. With respect to the latter, I’d like to know just how many high schools and elementary schools there are in the USA, times how many entrances – especially in places where high schools extend over more than one building – and multiply that by the cost of training and paying enough armed guards to make a difference, and let me know exactly where the money is coming from.</p>
<p>I would also add that being a “gun enthusiast” is not a guarantee of good judgement. Having armed staff who are too eager to pull out their guns or are too casual with them does not make me more comfortable with the idea.</p>
<p>^ they already have them. It is legal.</p>
<p>I’m trying to imagine a kindergarten teacher sitting down for story time on one of those tiny chairs and how that would work with a concealed weapon. So then the weapon goes in and out of the desk? Does it travel in the hallways and to the playground? Is it loaded and ready to go at all times?</p>
<p>If they flash the gun it becomes illegal. So only the people carrying know how they do it.</p>
<p>"Can I carry a firearm on my person?</p>
<p>A: Yes, with proper licensing (Concealed Handgun License) you may carry a pistol or revolver on your person so long as it remains concealed. Long guns (rifles / shotguns) do not have to be concealed, but must be carried in a manner not calculated to cause alarm, and do not require a license."</p>
<p>Yes I get that is is legal in some places. My point is that legality in some places does not mean that I like it, that it’s a viable solution to this particular problem on an even broader scale, or that I want it to be legal where I live. I’m glad it isn’t but maybe that’s why I live where I do ;)</p>
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<p>You got it! That is what they are seeking.</p>
<p>[Stockman</a> Seeks Repeal of Gun-Free School Zones Law : Roll Call News](<a href=“http://www.rollcall.com/news/stockman_seeks_repeal_of_gun_free_school_zones_law-220658-1.html]Stockman”>http://www.rollcall.com/news/stockman_seeks_repeal_of_gun_free_school_zones_law-220658-1.html)</p>
<p>My main point is that the broadening of policies allowing “gun enthusiasts” with concealed carry permits to carry weapons in the schools w/o the knowledge or input of parents is IMO a bad idea for a multitude of reasons.</p>
<p>“That is what they are seeking.” </p>
<p>This sounds more at the national level and not tied to Texas?</p>
<p>According to this site, it is a Texas felony to carry a hand gun onto school premises without the permission of the school even if the person has a license for concealed carry. I’m not expressing an opinion on whether that is a correct statement or how it fits with federal law.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.txchia.org/txcarry.htm[/url]”>http://www.txchia.org/txcarry.htm</a></p>
<p>Something to note - if the gun free zone is repealed nationally then that control is lost for everyone on school grounds not just teachers and staff of schools. I have been at Little League games where parents were ejected for having a fire arm (open carry) at a youth baseball game. If you’ve been to one or umpired one as I have, a pack of armed parents is not in anyone’s best interest. That is one more can of worms that doesn’t need to be opened.</p>
<p>(this is assuming the game is on school grounds - the same would hold for all other school and commuity sponsored activities - so random armed parents OK)</p>
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<p>that is just frightening. </p>
<p>{shivers}</p>
<p>saintfan:</p>
<p>What’s your concern about a “gun enthusiast” and what do you really mean by that term?</p>
<p>I’ve known a lot of people who I’d consider gun enthusiasts since they enjoy shooting sports or hunting or collecting. Most of them I’d consider mature, level-headed, responsible individuals who I’d have no problem with. Some of them I consider a bit nutty about it and I wouldn’t be so comfortable with them.</p>
<p>"According to this site, it is a Texas felony to carry "</p>
<p>I was wondering if it is tied to the federal law. </p>
<p>However, it does look like they can be permitted if needed.</p>
<p>School premises, without permission.</p>
<p>I believe that is exactly her point, GGD. That being a “gun enthusiast” should not be the qualifying factor for carrying a gun around children, especially in a school.</p>
<p>Oh–they are going to re-introduce an open carry law for hand guns this session of the Texas legislature. It will surprise (some) to know that approximately 40 states allow some form of open carry (licensed only, not licensed, local option, site restrictions etc.) while Texas and Oklahoma (and 2 other states) do not.</p>
<p>I used the term “gun enthusiast” because texaspg had used it to say that the armed staff wouldn’t necessarily be newly trained to carry and shoot. Also, I have heard that term used in relation to Nancy Lanza and other gun owners in the most recent new cycle.</p>
<p>I am happy to use another term, I am not especially attached to that one. However, it does do something to differentiate gun owners who do not carry as a matter of course and don’t frequent gun ranges or collect guns etc. (like my DH) from those who are more eager to carry open or concealed as a statement or a “lifestyle”.</p>
<p>I had a funny thought about the term “enthusiast”. I was reminded of the recent flap about the nudists in SanFrancisco and rules about sitting in restaurants etc. Sometimes an “enthusiast” will do things not because they’re practical or desirable but because they can. I think that distinction applies in this case too.</p>
<p>saintfan:</p>
<p>Since I like to shoot skeet and have shot a variety of guns I think I could be called a gun enthusiast.</p>
<p>But the people I indicated I wouldn’t be comfortable with are some of the people you describe - ex: some of the ones who go way out of their way to open carry in very public venues to make a statement of some sort. I think most of them are probably harmless and just trying to advance a cause but some I think are a bit wacko and it’s not something I’d do for the simple reason that I know it’d make a lot of people uncomfortable and why do that?</p>
<p>Regardless, I don’t think ‘gun enthusiast’ alone would qualify (or disqualify) anyone. Not all gun enthusiasts have had the correct training, certainly not advanced training in situational awareness like police and military need to go through. It’s not difficult to learn to shoot a gun, it’s quite easy in fact, so just knowing how to operate a weapon to load and shoot isn’t enough training IMO.</p>