Report: Number of armed teachers to increase at Lawrence County schools

WOWK (CBS Huntington, WV) is reporting that school officials have confirmed that teachers in the Rock Hill School District have been carrying guns to class for the past year and a half, and that they decided to make the fact public as a further deterrent measure after a recent rash of school threats in Ironton and Greenup County.

From the article:

We live in a culture where we can no longer just shut the front door, run and hide, and hope for the best,” said Hairston. “As great as the sheriff's department is they can't be everywhere all the time."

The superintendent wouldn't elaborate on which teachers have guns or how many of them there are in the district. He did say that the staff members are evenly spread throughout the three schools and have more than just a concealed carry permit.

“The people we have trained to be armed are extremely well trained,” said Hairston. “We sent those folks to the Tactical Defense Institute in West Union, Ohio."

After the recent rash of school threats in Ironton and Greenup County, Hairston said he felt it was necessary to make the secret public. Many teachers believe the idea of armed staff with deter future threats.

“It's a necessary evil,” said Sherri Baldridge, a kindergarten teacher. “It's come down to that because of the culture we live in."

“Do I like it? No.” said Kathy Bowling, an assistant superintendent. “I wish we didn't have to consider this, but I think it's the right thing to do."

Rock Hill isn't the only district with teachers toting guns. Two other districts inLawrence County also have armed staff but have chosen to remain anonymous.

“Our children's lives are so valuable that seconds count, so if you have someone who can neutralize the threat that's occurring then absolutely,” said Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless.

Superintendent Hairston told WOWK that making the decision to bring guns to school wasn't an easy one, but he believes it is best way to secure the safety of students and staff. School officials re-enforced that no one, other than the authorized, trained faculty members are allowed to bring weapons into Rock Hill schools.

Click here to download a Rock Hill Local Schol District Safety Update in which provides more details on the steps the school is taking, including involvement in Buckeye Firearms Foundation's FASTER (Faculty / Administrator Safety Training & Emergency Response) program.

Last May, Buckeye Firearms Foundation announced that there were approximately 30 Ohio school districts that had already authorized persons to carry firearms in their schools, and predicted that, while keeping track of specific district information gets more difficult as the program grows in popularity, there is little doubt that at least 50 districts will have authorized individuals to carry firearms by the end of this year. In July, the Foundation announced that over 300 teachers, administrators, and staff have now completed the training.

Most school districts have reviewed their preparedness for violence. Better security is clearly the way of the future for our schools. There are many things that can be done to improve school safety and security. Authorizing competent and trained individuals to carry firearms is both cost-effective and significantly reduces a schools vulnerability to active killer events. As more districts learn about the FASTER program and what it entails, they are embracing the expert’s suggestions for school safety. Those who oppose armed protection in the schools have yet to offer any viable alternative for stopping an active killer in a timely manner.

With multiple topic experts and qualified trainers, Ohio is leading the nation in reforming how schools protect children from violence. In addition to Ohio personnel, we have trained individuals from surrounding states. This summer, Georgia recently changed state law to allow schools to participate in such programs. Pennsylvania is currently considering modifying its law to resemble Ohio's. We are working with individuals and multiple other state legislatures interested in following the success we are having in Ohio. Every child is special, and every life is sacred. School leaders must take every reasonable step they can to adequately protect our children from violence. With unlimited resources, the Secret Service use armed persons inside the building to protect the President’s children. We may not be able to afford a protective detail for every child, but we can no longer afford to leave our school children unprotected. The discussion should not be about guns but rather about safety. The “no guns” sticker on the door does not work.

If your school has not made adequate improvements to their school safety plan, it is your duty as a parent to make sure your children are safe. Engage your school officials and make sure you are comfortable betting your child’s life on those who set the policy in your district. More information is available on our School Safety Information Page. The life you save may be your child.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Secretary, BFA PAC Vice Chairman, and an NRA-certified firearms instructor. He is the editor of BuckeyeFirearms.org, which received the Outdoor Writers of Ohio 2013 Supporting Member Award for Best Website. Jim Irvine is the Buckeye Firearms Foundation President, BFA PAC Chairman and recipient of the NRA-ILA's 2011 "Jay M. Littlefield Volunteer of the Year Award" and the CCRKBA's 2012 "Gun Rights Defender of the Year Award."