The issue of gun violence in schools has hit an all-time high. Schools all over the country are victims of gun violence. Legislative authorities are beginning to take action in their council in order to counteract the issue of gun violence in schools.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), at least 33 states in 2013 introduced over 80 bills related to arming teachers and staff in school. The bills were all somewhat different, but they all revolved around implementing policies that allow teachers to conceal and carry weapons in K-12 schools.

Every Town, a gun safety support fund, reveals there have been 63 school shootings so far this year in the United States. Legislative figures believe that some form of action must be taken in order to lessen the threat of school shootings, or at least minimize the unfortunate casualties.

South Dakota became the first state in America to legislate a law that authorized teachers to be armed on school grounds. The New York Times states the law was passed soon after 20 first grade children were shot and killed in Newtown, Connecticut. The incident in Newtown sparked a national debate in the United States and South Dakota was the first state to take action.

Several states jumped on the bandwagon after South Dakota passed a law enabling teachers to conceal loaded weapons on the job. There are currently 18 states that have legalized teachers to be armed on school grounds. Indiana is not one of these eighteen states.

Although Indiana has not legalized teachers being armed, our teachers still have thoughts on the subject. American History and Economics teacher Tony Pottorff shared why he believed that the idea was both positive and negative.

“I believe the idea of teachers being encouraged to be armed at school is a generally suitable idea, but they should be thoroughly trained and knowledgeable. I personally would not feel comfortable concealing an armed weapon,” Pottorff said.

Indiana is still on the fence on the subject of armed school staff. According to KDDK Attorneys and Counselors at Law, it is classified as a felony in Indiana to possess a firearm on or in school property, or on property that is being used for a school pursuit. Chris Cooper, a math teacher here at East, shared why he believed that the legalization of armed school staff was a dangerous idea.

“I personally think that there should not be any guns in the school, even if they are in the possession of a teacher. I think it’s too risky, considering that there are irresponsible people in the classroom who could use the gun in a way that is unintended. I think it’s a bad idea,” Cooper said.

There have been 30 casualties this year due to school shootings, with more than 50 others with severe injuries, according to the Kansas City Star. Nevie Dewhirst, an English 11 and 12 teacher here at East shared her thoughts on the entire subject of gun control.

“As Americans, before we can decide what to do or not do, we need to find common ground, otherwise we bore holes in our collective identity as Americans,” Dewhirst said.

“We collectively grieve the loss of innocent victims, we want our freedoms to remain intact, and we do not choose to live in fear. Discussing our views forces us to listen to the concerns and fears of our fellow citizens, and it urges us consider a different, and hopefully, better path for us all.”

Originally published in the fourth issue of the Oracle.