Barron Trump's father has publicly entertained the idea of arming teachers as a defensive measure against gun violence in school. His school, however, took a strong stand against it this week.
St. Andrew's Episcopal School, which 12-year-old Barron attends, joined more than 125 other private and independent schools in the Washington, D.C. area in sponsoring a full-page plea for "common-sense legislation" in local newspapers, including the Washington Post.
"We urge our President, our Congress and our state leaders to enact specific, vigorous measures to reduce gun violence in our schools," part of the statement reads. "We need a robust system of registration and background checks … We need stronger mental health services and more effective communication among agencies responsible for the well-being of children, adults and families.
"What we do not need is to arm our teachers with guns, which is dangerous and antithetical to our profession as educators."
President Donald Trump expressed a belief that arming teachers could reduce the casualty count in incidents of school violence in a series of tweets shortly after the Parkland, Florida shooting that claimed 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
"Highly trained, gun adept, teachers/coaches would solve the problem instantly, before police arrive," he wrote in one such tweet. "GREAT DETERRENT!"
He also tested the idea during a listening session with school shooting survivors; Education Secretary Betsy DeVos brought it up herself on the Parkland students' first day back at school.
Some school districts in the United States already arm teachers, and more have considered the idea since the Parkland shooting.
However, some Parkland survivors have flatly dismissed the idea as "terrible" and "stupid," as have teachers who -- like those at St. Andrew's -- don't want to add firearms to their annual list of school supplies.
