If we're going to do something, let's do something

[pharmseller]

Here's an idea:
My son's high school runs from 8:30 to 3:30. Start at 8:00, end at 5:00 for 9 hours. Split it into three, three hours shifts, times three people per shift for 9 volunteers per day. 45 volunteers, each working one three hour shift per week.

I'll bet it would be easy to find 45 volunteers to train up, get certified, carry, and patrol the school. I'd be first in line. So simple yet the anti-gun zealots would never allow it.

I'd feel better knowing that, at any one time, there were three armed and trained volunteers at my son's school. And any crazy shooter would know it, too.

If we're going to do something, let's do something. More laws won't work. Shooting people is already against the law, but does that stop anyone? Laws only change the behaviors of law-abiding people. Bad guys ignore the law. That's why they're bad guys.

Violence stops when it is violently stopped. Would a bad guy be so willing to target a school if he knew it was patrolled by multiple armed and well trained guards? Or would he seek an easier target?

If we're going to do something, let's do something. We can work on keeping guns out of the hands of crazy people but that's been an abject failure so far. But for the sake of argument sure, let's keep trying, especially if it makes you feel better. Let's face it, that's just running in place disguised as progress.

If we're going to do something, let's do something. If you think stricter gun laws are going to prevent school shootings you're just plain wrong. Is a crazy guy going to think gee, I'd love to shoot up that school but there's a law against it, so I won't?

If we're going to do something, let's do something. How can we keep guns out of the hands of crazy people? Or can we? That's a real question. Can we keep guns out of the hands of crazy people? I think the answer is no. And I'm not talking about AR-style rifles, either. Remember the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007? Seung-Hui Cho used a .22 caliber pistol and a Glock 19 9mm pistol to kill 32 people and wound 17 more. No AR, no AK, just two plain old handguns.

It's hard to suggest that we can't keep guns out of the hands of crazy people but I think it might focus the argument. It might feel like giving up, but it's exactly the opposite. If we admit it, maybe we'll try harder to protect our kids while they're at school. If we admit it maybe we'll stop running in place.

If we're going to do something, let's do something. Would you feel better sending your kid to school, knowing that responsible, well-trained parents are already there, patrolling the school, ready to respond immediately if, God forbid, some crazy guy targeted your school for his personal expression of infamy? I know I would.

If we're going to do something, let's do something.

Read More

 

[Old18C]

I do this at times as a retired LEO most states allow us to carry on schools concealed. Even Kalifornia, when my wife was still working there if they expected problems I would go hang out at the school sometimes with local LEOs if it was a HIGH threat.
In other states, parents would set up visitor control tables near the front door and issue passes to visitors who were allowed in. Being there is part of the solution even unarmed.
Get involved.
Good Luck

 

[Crazyeye24]

I was talking to my wife about volunteers getting training/certification for schools security today...makes sense. No one will protect kids like their own parents. I'm with you, I'd be first in line also.
As far as keeping guns out of crazy people's hands, its like trying to engineer stupid out of stupid....just can't be done. I think its sad that the anti-gun proponents are blaming an inanimate object for the actions of the individuals performing these horrible acts. How about we look into what caused them to do such a horrific thing and attack it from that end instead of going after the tool. Hold people accountable for their actions instead of blaming something for it.

 

[jvbutter]

Here's an idea:
My son's high school runs from 8:30 to 3:30. Start at 8:00, end at 5:00 for 9 hours. Split it into three, three hours shifts, times three people per shift for 9 volunteers per day. 45 volunteers, each working one three hour shift per week.

while I agree with you, Your asking the people to actually stand up and do something, its much easier for the people to look to the Nanny's in Capitol hill, or local state government to find the fix. Its easier to blame the government for not fixing the problem.

Yes your proposal is good one. Why not ask the teachers who wants to carry? With all the NRA members, and Concealed carry permits in the US, i think many teachers / janitors / staff would. The benefit of having the teachers, outsiders wont know who carries, and who does not?

If we're going to do something, let's do something. More laws won't work. Shooting people is already against the law, but does that stop anyone? Laws only change the behaviors of law-abiding people. Bad guys ignore the law. That's why they're bad guys.

It amazes me how the general public, government does not realize the fact you mention about criminals, those becoming criminals don't respect the current laws.

If we're going to do something, let's do something. How can we keep guns out of the hands of crazy people? Or can we? That's a real question. Can we keep guns out of the hands of crazy people? I think the answer is no. And I'm not talking about AR-style rifles, either. Remember the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007? Seung-Hui Cho used a .22 caliber pistol and a Glock 19 9mm pistol to kill 32 people and wound 17 more. No AR, no AK, just two plain old handguns.

exactly... remove the high cap magazines, and the law breakers / mentally challenged will just find another avenue, all the while hampering the rest of the law abiding citizens.

 

[Joe13]

Teachers are already there, I say train and arm them.


I don't really buy the whole "only if they want thing".

All of the teachers I've known would pull the trigger if their class was in imminent harm.

 

[2Wheels4Ever]

Teachers are already there, I say train and arm them.


I don't really buy the whole "only if they want thing".

All of the teachers I've known would pull the trigger if their class was in imminent harm.

A lot of us already know how to shoot, and shoot well. Now just let me carry without losing my teaching license.

 

[11Charlie]

A lot of us already know how to shoot, and shoot well. Now just let me carry without losing my teaching license.

This!! Yes I really wish you could brother! I know that people like you and Andy would do what was necessary. As a vet I would volunteer to watch a school for three hours a week. Hands down!

 

[Medic!]

Here's an idea:
My son's high school runs from 8:30 to 3:30. Start at 8:00, end at 5:00 for 9 hours. Split it into three, three hours shifts, times three people per shift for 9 volunteers per day. 45 volunteers, each working one three hour shift per week.

I'll bet it would be easy to find 45 volunteers to train up, get certified, carry, and patrol the school. I'd be first in line. So simple yet the anti-gun zealots would never allow it.

I'd feel better knowing that, at any one time, there were three armed and trained volunteers at my son's school. And any crazy shooter would know it, too.

If we're going to do something, let's do something. More laws won't work. Shooting people is already against the law, but does that stop anyone? Laws only change the behaviors of law-abiding people. Bad guys ignore the law. That's why they're bad guys.

Violence stops when it is violently stopped. Would a bad guy be so willing to target a school if he knew it was patrolled by multiple armed and well trained guards? Or would he seek an easier target?

If we're going to do something, let's do something. We can work on keeping guns out of the hands of crazy people but that's been an abject failure so far. But for the sake of argument sure, let's keep trying, especially if it makes you feel better. Let's face it, that's just running in place disguised as progress.

If we're going to do something, let's do something. If you think stricter gun laws are going to prevent school shootings you're just plain wrong. Is a crazy guy going to think gee, I'd love to shoot up that school but there's a law against it, so I won't?

If we're going to do something, let's do something. How can we keep guns out of the hands of crazy people? Or can we? That's a real question. Can we keep guns out of the hands of crazy people? I think the answer is no. And I'm not talking about AR-style rifles, either. Remember the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007? Seung-Hui Cho used a .22 caliber pistol and a Glock 19 9mm pistol to kill 32 people and wound 17 more. No AR, no AK, just two plain old handguns.

It's hard to suggest that we can't keep guns out of the hands of crazy people but I think it might focus the argument. It might feel like giving up, but it's exactly the opposite. If we admit it, maybe we'll try harder to protect our kids while they're at school. If we admit it maybe we'll stop running in place.

If we're going to do something, let's do something. Would you feel better sending your kid to school, knowing that responsible, well-trained parents are already there, patrolling the school, ready to respond immediately if, God forbid, some crazy guy targeted your school for his personal expression of infamy? I know I would.

If we're going to do something, let's do something.

This sounds like a terrible idea............. Where are we meeting up?

 

[thorborg]

Back off, Kate Brown's got your back!
She's working real hard to turn us all into gallery ducks.

 

[DuneHopper]

Criminals are not stupid they are cowards, they pick the defenseless easy targets.
On Northwest Firearms I started a rather large thread on the Oct UCC shooting it was just a
mile or so down the road here. I can not stress enough other the the court house and police
station, there was only one gun free zone..... UCC Campus and well we all know what occurred there.
Fitting that this is my 3000th post here took me three years to get there, and yet I am reminded every day what occurred here where I live. I don't care whom you are if you were a criminal and wanted to commit a shooting here in Douglas County you basically had two choices Police/Court House or UCC Campus.
DH

 

[mikeybuck]

In Olympia, House Minority Leader Dan Kristiansen told reporters Thursday that lawmakers should think seriously about increasing security at K-12 schools, including armed guards and allowing additional staff members to carry weapons.

 

[fredball]

I have been saying this for years thanks for getting it out

 

[EPS]

Here's a question they can't answer . because they don't want to .HOW COME YOU NEVER SEE A MASS SHOOTING AT A GUN SHOW .mmmmmmm probably because everyone there has a gun .

 

[DuneHopper]

Here's a question they can't answer . because they don't want to .HOW COME YOU NEVER SEE A MASS SHOOTING AT A GUN SHOW .mmmmmmm probably because everyone there has a gun .

What I do see is huge cash deposits helping the economy, people building friendships and having fun.,
Other groups have Pride days, maybe we need a Firearms Pride Day, or wait we do its called the 4th of July
BOOYAA!!!

 

[thorborg]

We do not need more people empowered for the sole purpose protect us. People must be allowed to take charge of their own lives. Political barriers and public ignorance must be stripped away to allow just that.

Today a news gal reports of a mother experiencing a shooting in an airport and now her son going through the same thing at this school. The mother said now every time they go to a store she asks her children how they would handle themselves should a shooting happen there.
The news gal said "something must be done, we shouldn't have to do that".
Grow up and face reality news gal, it is time you left the nest.
No, we shouldn't have to do that. We shouldn't have speed bumps either.
. In my opine the mother, whether she knew it or not, was mature enough to know that, and kudos for taking charge of her life by discussing such scenario's with her children. They can handle it! She needs to continue do more. Education, training and ubiquitous acceptance for self preservation by any with such fortitude must be not just allowed, but encouraged, on a federal level as necessary for national security.
There are enough with such fortitude to offset the meek and disinclined if we could just get the nannies and power mongrels out of our way.
We recognize and encourage preparedness and training for earthquakes, tornadoes and other disasters. The breakdown of the fragile human brain is without precedence as an uncontrollable event to be reckoned with, is as old as humanity and will never function perfect* for us all, no mater how many psycho analyst are getting rich over the possibility or pills are prescribed.
*subject to interpretation.

 

[Member 45464]

I see the other camp getting larger and it is harder to have a meaningful conversation when they turn up the rhetoric to 11.

I would love to see someone produce easy to consume media that articulates criminals don't pick targets they believe will win the confrontation. Criminals want easy pickings. Is there a YouTube channel we could promote going down this track?

To me the problem we must address sooner than later is the messengers are not playing for our team, nor are they even willing to hide their biases. We as law-abiding-gun-owners take opportunities as they come to work one-on-one with individuals and either help undo some of the lies they have consumed and are showing signs of poisoning from, and/or occasionally win over a few hearts and minds by demonstrating control and respect. Our opposition only has to hold up the dead youth, and now have taken the traumatized survivors to the vigils and chant and protest loudly against gun ownership while the national TV cameras are rolling.

Sadly, I have no doubt this will blow over and just become another example where there was a failure to agree on what to do. It deeply bothers me how the lines are drawn, it does not help find a solution at the national level. My local solution is to be more inclusive.

We all need to act a bit more more generously with our time and take a few moments when needed to engage so people know someone still think of them as a human that can act with dignity and be respected. Isn't that the root of what we all want?

Back in early 90's when i was in high school at Gladstone we had a number of students in each grade nominated to get 50-100+ hours of training so they could listen to anyone that wanted to open up and help them out. I got that front line peer training, and by buddy @Ian Aquila did as well. I am sure he had a few conversations like I did that de-escalated enough where the student stopped thinking about harming themself, or another student and could let it go or agreed to see a trusted adult. If one of us went to report an issue we were treated like first responders and action was swift.

I have to imagine schools today, especially high schools that have established leadership classes, could put together a simple program so there is a "net" of students that can ensure their peers are not alone and thinking about inflicting harm. Establish a protocol for being a friend and engaging the "loner" into a group takes the burden off any one individual, because I know it could be a big lift! The loner may need medications, may need assistance from the state to get out of an abusive home, they may need lots of things beyond their control and what they can provide on their own. What they deserve is to be treated like a person that is allowed to make mistakes, be awkward, and find their sweet spot so they can continue on as a positive contributor.

Is the call to action reach out to our local schools and offer our assistance? If the schools decline I suggest there is someone in local government with a soft spot for the underdogs and could help get something going. I am more than willing to take someone's good ideas that are proving to be successful and do the leg work to start a nonprofit that could have as many chapters as necessary to support something that works.