[offduty]

As a retired LEO who lives in Michigan and serves on a school board, I can see both sides of the issue.

While concealed carry may be better tactically, the presence of open carry sends a clear and direct message that someone in the school is armed and may deter someone from carrying out a threat to a school.

We travel to Florida on a regular basis and stop at a little country store in south Georgia. Every time we stop, there is a lady in her mid-40’s that carries a very nice .380 on her hip. The holster looks pretty supple as if the weapon has been in and out of it numerous times. The first time I saw her, it gave me pause and I’ve been carrying most of my adult life. Her message was clear and unmistakable. While I’m sure it is quite possible someone MAY wish to challenge her, I bet the perp would rather drive down the road a little further and go for a softer target.

I can see that same deterrent happening in a school setting.

Also, I believe arming selective staff would be a DEFENSIVE position. The intent being the weapon would be used defensively and not for a staff member to become pseudo-law enforcement and seek out an active shooter. That’s where training and experience become invaluable.

Our district is still looking at formulating policy and the jury is still out. One thing for sure, if the Michigan Supreme Court affirms the ruling of the lower court and Ann Arbor and Clio school boards prevail, the rest of the state won’t have to worry about active shooters. The nuts will all gravitate to those two school districts as they can be assured there will be no guns on campus.

[Blue Jays]

We are absolutely reading from the same sheet of music!
Like you shared, I similarly see advatages/disadvantages to each approach.

[William Tell]

"The intent being the weapon would be used defensively and not for a staff member to become pseudo-law enforcement and seek out an active shooter. "

What kind of a nation have we become that we would discourage a well-meaning school staff member from seeking out and confronting a shooter who might otherwise kill 17 innocent students during the several minutes that law-enforcement might spend establishing a perimeter?

There's a reason that mass shootings rarely happen in police stations, banks, jewelry stores, and gun shows.

[Hot Tabasco]

I think it was 2001 when Michigan became a “shall issue” state but in return, the school gun free zones were created. Prior to that, a close friend who was a middle school vice principal as well as a number of other teachers always carried concealed weapons in the school.