Trump promotes arming teachers, but rejects active shooter drills

“Our most valuable, most precious resources are our children”. Trump called gun violence in schools a terrible situation.

“I’m honestly gobsmacked that the president used a forum with gun violence survivors to pimp the (National Rifle Association’s) priority legislation and to suggest arming teachers”, Watts said. She said the idea to arm herself in school began with the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, where 20 children and six adults died.

“Educators need to be focused on teaching our students”.

He added: “Highly trained, gun adept, teachers/coaches would solve the problem instantly, before police arrive”.

Rubio responded that the idea of arming teacher was wrong.

But at least one of those who attended blasted back, telling Trump that most school shooters were suicidal and wouldn’t be deterred by the thought of being shot dead.

“They see that as such a handsome target”, Trump said. “When you say this school is gun free. that’s what they want to hear”. He said later in the meeting, in which Education secretary Betsy DeVos and Attorney General Jeff Sessions also participated, that the federal government would provide some funding for additional training.

“There needs to be significant change in this country, because this has to never happen again”, student Justin Gruber said.

“I do think it would be a deterrent, there’s no doubt”, he said. Suggestions were varied, ranging from ways to provide more and better security at schools, taking action about the role that mental health plays in school shootings, raising the age to purchase rifles and strengthening background checks.

“All these school shootings, it doesn’t make sense”.

He also suggested that teachers be trained to carry guns.

Trump spoke as he opened a school-safety discussion with state and local officials at the White House in response to the fatal shooting of 17 people at a Florida high school last week. He has been reluctant to support efforts to tighten gun control laws.

“We protect airports. We protect concerts, stadiums, embassies”, Pollack said, his voice seething with rage. During his White House listening session on Wednesday afternoon, the president advocated giving teachers the right to concealed carry.

President Trump proposed ending “gun-free zones” at schools, and called for teachers to be armed with concealed handguns.