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West Texans Help Oklahoma Victims
New Petition to Allow Guns in the Hands of Teachers in Classrooms 12/28/12
Felicia Bolton
fbolton@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News Reporter
December 28, 2012
ODESSA, TX - In light of the Connecticut shooting that claimed the lives of 26 people, including 20 children, Midlander Derek New began a petition. It’s a petition that would put guns in the hands of teachers in classrooms.
"You may not be able to stop a mad man from committing a crime but you can certainly shut him down before he's able to commit mass murder," said Derek New, originator of the petition.
Those that agree with New stated that the petition is an opportunity to protect our children.
"If someone walks in [a school], there’s not a police officer there. There's no one there around the clock with all these kids. They're pretty much sitting ducks," said Matthew Riddler, father of an ECISD student.
ECISD school board leaders stated this change in policy is something that could be considered.
"It would be an area that we could look at and see if there is a need for it. If there is …we would undertake proper direction for it. And if it is seen it isn't …we would under take that through policy," said ECISD School Board President Ray Beaty.
Both Ector County ISD and Midland ISD are gun free zones. But they both have armed school police and a lockdown system in case of emergencies. It's a safe guard that those against the petition stated should remain as the first line of defense.
“Teachers are not professional law enforcement. Look at what they do; they’re teachers. Law enforcement is good at what they do. Let's keep it that way,” said David Rosen, President of the Midland Democratic Party.
New doesn't deny the possibly of an offensive use of the gun. But he stated with proper training, school teachers could save lives.
"All of the training is about defensive use of the handgun," stated New.
Whether residents are for it or against it, the ultimate decision is in the hands of west Texas school districts.
The petitions are set up at several gun shops in Midland and Odessa. In Odessa they are at Brush Mountain Outfitters, The Rusty Spur and Tejas Shooting Sports. In Midland the petition is at Bear Claw Knife and Shear.