Let’s Talk about Guns

Within the past week, there have been two mass shootings. The last one killed elementary school students. Children, too young to defend themselves. Children, who still are trying to learn their times tables.

It’s time to talk about guns. There have been fourteen shootings in the past year. 14 mass shootings in a year. And yet, it is never time to talk about guns.

And yet, we hear how more guns would solve the problem. So in addition to being psychologists, parents, specialists, doctors, nurses, and friends, teachers are now supposed to be body guards.

I’ve been a teacher’s assistant in an elementary school classroom. I have had to comfort crying eight year olds, correct spelling, stop children from eating crayons, and mediated countless fights. I’ve also had students charge at me because they were angry at the world, and I happened to be standing in the doorway. I’ve been jumped on, tugged, hugged, and had my hair braided. With so many children in such close proximity, the thought of wearing a gun is absolutely terrifying to me. The risks of one of my students jumping at me and accidentally discharging the gun is too easy to imagine. I’ve seen students go through the teacher’s desk when they’re upset, so it’s not like keeping the gun in the desk would be any safer.

I can’t imagine why anyone who honestly thinks that bringing guns into emotional situations with children will keep them safe.

So let’s get over this notion that more guns are the solution, and start looking at evaluating mental health, gun access, and balancing the need for protection against invasive governments with the desire to keep the public safe.

If anyone has any good information on the shootings, leave the information in the comments.