Texas teachers union survey finds that school employees don’t want to be armed

The Texas Tribune ^ | June 9, 2022 | Brian Lopez

[where's_the_Outrage?]

A survey of nearly 4,000 K-12 teachers in Texas found that most do not want to be armed while in class or be expected to intercept a gunman at school, according to the state’s teachers union, which released its survey results Wednesday.

The Texas American Federation of Teachers sent an online questionnaire to its 65,000 members, which include public school teachers, support personnel and higher education employees, a week after an 18-year-old gunman killed 21 people — including 19 children — at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Soon after the shooting, Texas Republicans said the solution could be arming teachers.

A total of 5,100 members responded to the union’s survey, including 3,673 secondary school teachers. Of those K-12 teachers, 76% of them answered “no” when asked, “Do you want to be armed?” About 90% of all school employees who responded said they are worried about a shooting happening at their school.

Texas AFT’s membership includes public school teachers and employees, as well as those who work at colleges and universities.

Zeph Capo, president of the Texas AFT, said at a press conference Wednesday that the Texas Legislature has made it easier for people to buy guns instead of focusing on protecting the lives of children.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

Of those K-12 teachers, 76% of them answered “no” when asked, “Do you want to be armed?”

And I would bet that almost 100% of the 76% are Dems. Which both explains the survey and failing schools.

[Jonny7797]

I’m not a fan of arming teachers. I want police officers on every school campus from day care up.

[wardamneagle]

We all know how surveys work ...wink wink

[gunsequalfreedom]

Most do not need to be armed, just enough of the them.

[BipolarBob]

“No, just shoot us”.

[ridesthemiles]

AT the very least——Retired military who know how to detect a threat.

[cymbeline]

“Most do not need to be armed, just enough of the them”

I agree. Furthermore, each school district can decide this issue. No Federal help needed.

[rarestia]

Permissive gun laws make it so that anyone can carry but not everyone chooses to do so. Gun ownership and bearing a weapon are burdens not to be understated.

I carry everywhere I go, but it is burdensome. Head is always on a swivel, and I have to be mindful of the law. I don’t blame teachers for not wanting to be burdened in this way, but I’m certain there’s at least one or two individuals in that school who, if given the permission to do so, would carry their firearm.

That’s deterrence. That’s what it means to be a deterrent. You just don’t know who is carrying, so it’s not worth the risk.

[hanamizu]

“...most do not want to be armed while in class or be expected to intercept a gunman at school...”

---

First of all, what percent of teachers in Texas are members of the AFT—a very left-wing union?

And maybe more importantly, they don’t want to be ‘expected’ to intercept a gunman? Who is going to be the one to protect the children in their charge? If someone is actively threatening my students I expect myself to at least attempt to do something about it. No, it’s not part of the job description, but it is part of being an adult with children in one’s care.

[rlmorel]

Yep. I don’t want firearms in the hands of Leftists, they are the ones responsible for nearly every single mass shooting.

They are mentally unstable and incapable of the responsibility needed for handling firearms.

As long as there are some...someone...anyone who can at least put up a fight, rather than just giving the slaughtering Leftists 45 minutes to casually walk around and shoot people with inpunity, that is all that is needed.

[goodnesswins]

As others have said...get rid of kill zones, ie “gun free zones”

[tje]

Body bags it is then.

[Cen-Tejas]

...........ok, 24% would be a good start.

Just a wild guess but that would be approximately a couple dozen armed teachers in most schools.

I heard one Uvalde teacher being interviewed and she said, while crying, that “I wish I had had a gun”.

The 76% that say “No” are just part of the problem.

[dhuls]

“I’m not a fan of arming teachers. I want police officers on every school campus from day care up.”

why... so the police officers can wait outside so they can harass and pepper spray parents until the dust settles?

If 76% of those surveyed say they do not want to be armed, then let the other 24% be armed. That should be enough to take care of the job.

[1Old Pro]

You really don’t need more than a handful armed. That’s enough of a deterrent. Oh, I also support training for the teachers who don’t want to be armed, train them to lock the doors.

[logi_cal869]

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Just make sure they don’t have green hair and a TikTok account.

[throwthebumsout]

Deceptive title. From the article, “... most do not want to be armed while in class ...”, which means some do. Let those who do exercise their rights. That’s all that is being asked.

[JBW1949]

They’d rather be shot....

[drypowder]

A teacher’s Union survey? NFS!