OPINION: President NRA

ABOVE Trump: Derived from Michael Vadon on WikiMedia Commons (license, NRA logo: Derived from Democracy Chronicles on Flickr (license)

A letter to the editor by Barbara Blonsky of Mount Laurel, NJ

Dear Editor:

Today, Donald Trump backpedaled on his original proposals to bring common sense to our current gun laws and provide greater safety to all citizens. Clearly in the grip of the NRA, Mr Trump has chosen to suggest some minimal gestures such as improving background checks. The most ludicrous position he continues to maintain is arming teachers and is now calling for “rigorous” firearms training for school personnel.

Aside from the utter insanity of asking teachers to be armed guards in our schools, it seems to me that no one is asking some very practical questions about this proposal. How would these teachers be insured? Would they be covered under current institution liability plans? What is the cost of insuring these newly armed guards walking school hallways? How would this be provided for in school budgets? Do these teachers have to be covered by personal insurance contracts as well? Can they be sued personally for any misfires, mistakes, or killings they commit while on the job?

The entire concept of arming educators is horrifying. However, if we are going to engage in this type of conversation, we must at least bring practical issues to the fore rather than continuing to appeal to the fearful imaginations of those who think the only answer is to create a society with more guns and more violence. It is appalling. Hopefully these questions can bring some clear thinking to the issues this policy raises.

Editor’s note: The opinions in this letter are the author’s only.

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