Delaware Tech Discuss Armed Teachers and Student Protest

Over a month has pass since the Parkland Florida school shooting and citizens are still buzzing about the event. Debates ranging fro arming teachers with handguns and students leading the protest on banning certain gun regulations have taken over social media.

On Feb. 14, 2018, 17 students and staff members of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were gunned down by student, Nikolas Cruz. A few days after this event, students began to rally together to make lawmaker change the current gun policy.

President Donald Trump has spoken about arming certain teachers with small hand guns such as pistols to keep the students safe.

Conservative Political Action Conference outside of Washington, DC, in which he also suggested that teachers should be armed. Photo Credit: NBC News

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As a response, President Donald Trump tweeted, “Armed Educators (and trusted people who work within a school) love our students and will protect them. Very smart people. Must be firearms adept & have annual training. Should get yearly bonus. Shootings will not happen again - a big and very inexpensive deterrent. Up to States.”

Students and Staff at Delaware Technical Community College have voiced their opinions on the matter.

“That’s crazy.” Said Criminal Justice student Amir Kellam, “Why would you arm teachers with guns in the classrooms. They’re going to hurt themselves and the students.”’

Human Service student Alex DeRemier said “That’s a band-aid to a much larger problem. You’re just adding to the fire.”

Social media has exploded with all types of opinions about teachers being armed with guns. Some are opposing the idea of teachers being armed. However, not everyone believes that.

“I think that teachers should have guns instead of hiding and throwing a desk.” Entrepreneurship student Shamirah Smith said. “You never know what is going to happen and they can protect themselves more with it.”

Those who oppose to the idea of arming teachers with guns have suggested hiring retired veterans to work as security for the school.

One of the many opinions tweeted in response to the Donald Trump tweet about arming teachers. Photo Credit: DailyMail

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“I’m not up for arming teachers because some of them aren’t capable to do it for safety reasons.” Information Security student Cole Revel said. “Instead I’m up for more security. Meaning actual retire veterans or officers who know the regulations and firearms. Especially if a teacher misfires and accidentally shoots a student.”

As the debate with arming teachers continue on social media, the victims of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting have planned a nationwide walk out and, “March for our Lives” march at Washington D.C.

A banner for the national walk out from the Women's March Youth Empowerment. Photo Credit: Action Network

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Many citizens have been supportive with the student’s decisions to do a walkout, stating how it is their amendment right as a United States citizen.

“I agree with it. Every voice needs to be heard.” Paralegal student Devon Hinton said. “The children and students are crying for help because they don’t know what is going to happen and no one is listening to them.”

The national walk out was a memorial for the fallen staff and students while also an action for their protest. The students will stand outside of their school grounds for 17 minutes to represent the number of students and staff killed.

Students from all over the nation are participating in some way to help support the Stoneman students to make a change for the future generations.