- Steve Westerberg of Forest City served 40 years as a public school teacher and administrator.
I incorrectly assumed the tragic school shooting in Perry would result in the usual inaction by Iowa’s politicians. However, last week Iowa House Republicans introduced a bill, House Study Bill 675, to allow teachers to be armed with guns.
Predictably, their solution to gun violence is more guns.
Apparently those who promote arming school teachers believe a solution to school shootings is forcing all students and staff to be comfortable working and learning in a climate with guns.
That is far from the truth. If teachers and administrators felt requiring adults in schools to carry guns would make schools safer, wouldn’t they be demanding this? They’re not. Even five trained police officers employed by the Uvalde school district failed to stopthe killing of 19 children. It’s foolish to believe school teachers would be more effective.
Those who advocate for guns in schools belong to a culture that believes more guns make everyone safer and guns are the solution, not part of the problem. Those who align with the culture of guns have made guns a part of their lifestyle. For those entrenched in the culture of guns, gun ownership goes beyond a shotgun or rifle for hunting. Carrying a gun is part of the family routine, and for many, just one gun isn’t enough. Children in these families are accustomed to seeing guns; in fact, it’s just part of their life.