Oregon School System Allows Teachers to Carry Concealed: “They should have a right to protect themselves”

Finally, we get to hear a story about a school system where logic trumps thoughtless “zero tolerance” sheepdom.

The St. Helens School Board in Oregon has come to the decision that students will be safer if teachers who have carry permits are allowed to bring their guns to school. This lifts a previous ban on guns on school property.

Marshall Porter, chairman of the St. Helens School Board in Oregon, said the new policy would give teachers the same rights as ordinary citizens.

“The current law in Oregon allows for anybody to concealed carry on school grounds,” he said in a statement. “To exclude our staff seems like they’re being punished. They should have a right to protect themselves if they so choose.”

Seven schools fall under the jurisdiction of the board.

The 4-1 vote to restore gun rights to teachers took place just a few days after a Nevada middle school student fatally shot himself and a math teacher.

Porter said he trusted teachers to do the right thing in a crisis, whether they were armed or not.

“If [staff members] were faced with a horrific choice, if they had to defend themselves against a kid — which has been the thing — I think it would be a hard decision for them, one that they would educate themselves on,” he said. “I do believe we’re talking about educators, people who have the interest of the children in mind.” (source)

Most parents seem to be happy with the decision, according to Porter. “I’ve had more parents email me saying that they approve of our decision than not.” (source)

In a world where our kids are put at risk every day that we send them to school, doesn’t it just make sense to have those in whom we entrust our children be at least as well-armed as those who would harm them?