Teacher Group Opposes Guns for Teachers

EduTex Report-"Reporting" on Education and Education Policy in Texas...often before it happens


The only Texas Legislature-approved teacher group, TAPT (Texas Association of Powerless Teachers), has gone on record to oppose the requirement that teachers post the second amendment in their classrooms and carry concealed guns at all times while at school or school related functions.  TAPT lists several concerns as the basis of their objection to this soon-to-be legislative  requirement.

The simplest objection regards how and where teachers are supposed to carry guns at school.  Teachers will have to constantly carry backpacks, purses or some other item to conceal the weapons.  Coaches have expressed concern about the easy access of guns at their various games...at least, there was a concern raised about whether or not referees would also be allowed to carry guns.  The few coaches who agree with the gun-carrying provision would not support it if referees are also allowed to carry guns during the games.  State representative A.S. Shole stated, "I understand this is an inconvenience, but it is a temporary one at most.  I will propose legislation which will certainly pass which would not require teachers to conceal their guns.  Therefore, all they need is a holster to put on their belts."

A second concern raised by TAPT was the cost of the gun, the training, and the license to carry the guns since all of these are costs that teachers will have to bear plus the legal liability that teacher could potentially face.  Representative Shole responded, " Teachers commonly waste $800-$1000 dollars a year on useless educational material like books, bulletin board decorations, and other unnecessary 'supplies'.  They can simply put that money to good use and invest it-rather than waste it-on things of real value and importance.  We will ensure that any gun bought by a teacher which will be carried at school will be exempt from sales tax and we'll provide a voucher to be used to help cover the cost of the gun itself.  The voucher should be enough to cover a significant portion of the cost of the gun since  the state will no longer be purchasing text books or other so-called instructional material and the state will,therefore,  have enough financial resources to assist in the intial cost of the gun.  We will also exempt teachers or other school personel from any liability arising from gun related incidents.  Teachers should use their best judgement and the state will back them up on this."

TAPT also noted that teachers are under a lot of pressure and stress because of increased state mandated testing as well as problems created by billions of dollars in state budget cuts for education which resulted in larger classes, inadequate supplies, outdated textbooks, less resources to meet student needs, and numerous other problems.  TAPT is concerned that such easy access to guns will lead to an increase in teacher suicides.  Representative A. S. Shole, speaking on behalf of the powerful Texas Tea Party Caucus in the Texas House, acknowledged this is a possibility but his caucus wasn't concerned about it.  "If you can't handle a gun, then you shouldn't be teaching in Texas anyway.  This issue has motivated us to push for some new legislation which would modify 6 credit hours to the teacher certification program at all universities in Texas.  The new classes would require training in handling, firing, and caring for all the various types of guns teachers could carry.  All prospective teachers would be required to pass a markmanship course.  There wouldn't be any additional hours required to be certified  because we will reduce the hours required in the subject by 6.  They can find all the information they need on the internet anyway.  We would also require that all Teacher Retirement System money that these teachers had contributed to TRS would automatically be confiscated and given to the gun voucher program which would also save Texas money. Also, this would decrease the surplus population of incompetent, non-gun toting teachers.  We don't see a downside to this potential issue.   We simply will take a minor negative consequence and turn it into a major positive thing for the taxpayers of Texas who don't want to pay for anything anyway."