Many teachers feel the presence of guns would only make school more dangerous
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US President Donald Trump's contention that arming teachers would help prevent school shootings has been met with anger from some of the country's teaching unions.
The president, who in the wake of the Parkland shootings in Florida suggested firearms training for teachers as a preventative measure, put forward the idea that keeping schools 'gun-free' only attracts killers.
“We have to harden our schools, not soften them," he said. "A gun-free zone to a killer or somebody who wants to be a killer, that`'s like going in for the ice cream."
Following the massacre in Florida, school boards across the country are considering alternative methods to ward off would-be attackers. And some believe the idea should be seriously considered.
"I'm not saying that every teacher needs to be armed, but I'm saying that some teachers have the ability and and know-how to confront violence with violence," said Chief Eric Blanchard, Aransas Pass Police.
However, many teachers feel that the presence of guns would only make school more dangerous.
Becky Pringle, Vice President of the National Education Association, has been a teacher for over 30 years.
"Arming teachers, not a good idea," she said. "I cannot imagine having that responsibility of carrying a gun. What's being described by the president and others sounds more like a prison to me, with the teachers as armed guards and the students as prisoners."
While there are disagreements over the method, it's tragedies such as the shooting in Florida that everyone wants to prevent - a mindless act of violence in a place where children should feel safe.