By Milt Harris ——Bio and Archives--October 15, 2023
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I am a second amendment advocate. I firmly believe that guns do not kill people and it is people that kill people. A gun in the hand of a law-abiding citizen is only a danger to criminals. Gun control, if such a thing can even exist needs to focus on keeping guns out of the hands of convicted violent criminals and the mentally ill. It should also encourage law abiding citizens to arm themselves with proper training. The more responsible law-abiding people that own guns the better.
A school superintendent in Ohio understands this logic. John Scheu, superintendent of the Benjamin Logan Local School District in Ohio, has initiated a program to train and arm his faculty and staff. Scheu is no stranger to this type of proactive plan. In an interview with The Washington Stand he explained how he set up a similar program in nearby Sidney City Schools 10 years ago following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
In the interview he explained how he worked then with the county sheriff to improve school security, with cameras and better doors and locks. However, he told the Washington Stand that:
Coming to that conclusion wasn’t difficult. Deputies could take 15 minutes to arrive and an armed faculty or staff member is on scene immediately. "Time is of paramount importance,” Scheu said.
Scheu explained that he is not a “gun person,” but to this point he has trained and armed nearly 20 school faculty and staff members. He has also learned that parents love the idea.
Naturally, not everyone was on board. Some teachers had reservations, which Scheu understands. However, the entire program is based on volunteers.
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There are 33 states that legally permit teachers to carry firearms on campus. Hopefully that is expanded to all 50 states soon and that school districts take advantage and arm their faculties.
Speaking with the Washington Stand, Meg Kilgannon, Senior Fellow for Education Studies at Family Research Council agreed that children are “precious assets” and need to be protected.
Schools have taken the extra step of warning any would be shooters by putting up signs stating that intruders will be met by an armed response team. As Scheu explained, "It’s just a matter of telling people we’re not a soft target. Do not pick us to do your carnage."
Signage, backed up with strength can be a huge deterrent. Many times places that display that they are a “gun free zone” are victimized.
This is a great idea that is being implemented in a structured orderly way. God forbid that anything happens, but if it does, this district is ready.
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Milt spent thirty years as a sales and operations manager for an international manufacturing company. He is also a four-time published author on a variety of subjects. Now, he spends most of his time researching and writing about conservative politics and liberal folly.