The Tri-State is speaking out about allowing guns in schools

CINCINNATI - After the Sandy Hook tragedy in Newtown, Conn. that killed 20 children and six adults, the debate over allowing guns in schools is on the rise.

Cincinnati Federation of Teachers President Julie Sellers is hesitant about allowing any type of weapon around children.

"I don't think they're the ones in the classroom with the children," Sellers said. "I think it's easy to say I want this teacher to have a gun.  I don't know if they've really thought through how much training in takes to be at the level of a police officer."

Sellers said having better control of assault weapons is the way to go, and that every school should have a safety plan.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said the Sandy Hook tragedy continues to prompt Ohio schools to do just that and file plans to his office.  DeWine said the gun law does not need to be changed for teachers to have guns in school.

Sellers does not see an advantage to a teacher having a gun.

"If you have high school students and they knock a gun out of the teacher's hand," Sellers said. "I just think that would be really dangerous."

Anderson Township resident Jay Klein is in favor of arming teachers. He has two daughters, ages 4 and 9.

"If there's a teacher in there, more than one, a volunteer or a teacher having a gun, the chances of it happening are greatly reduced," Klein said.

A kindergarten teacher in Clermont County believes it is OK for some teachers to have a gun, but should remain anonymous and have their gun locked in a safe.