Survey: Majority of Voters, and More Parents, Back Allowing Armed Teachers
A new national poll finds support for letting trained school staff carry firearms outweighs opposition, with the widest margin among parents of K-12 students.
A new national survey from the Crime Prevention Research Center finds that a majority of voters, and an even larger share of parents with children in K-12 schools, support allowing teachers to carry firearms on campus.
The survey, conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, found that 51.4% of general-election voters favored allowing armed teachers, while 35.7% opposed. Among parents with children enrolled in K-12 schools, 57.3% were in favor and 30.2% were opposed. A majority of Democrats opposed the policy.
Gun Owners of America has long advocated for allowing willing, trained teachers to carry firearms on campus. The group argues that gun-free zone signs do not deter attackers and that having armed personnel inside a school means someone is prepared to respond immediately.
“Supporters of armed teachers point to the higher level of support among parents as particularly significant, since parents have a direct stake in school safety decisions,” according to advocates cited in the research.
Police Response Concerns
The poll is part of a broader body of research on the challenges law enforcement faces when responding to active-shooter attacks. Researchers and advocates who support armed teacher policies argue that officers can be at a tactical disadvantage. An attacker may begin when an officer is not present, move to another part of a school, or deliberately target an identifiable armed officer.
Proponents say trained, armed personnel already inside a school could shorten the time an attacker operates before meeting armed resistance.
Police Opinion
Supporters also cite a 2013 survey of law enforcement officers, which found that 81% supported allowing teachers to arm themselves to help protect students. They argue that the officers who respond to these attacks have recognized the value of the approach for years.
Gun-Free School Zones
The debate has renewed scrutiny of gun-free school zone policies. Critics, including many gun-rights groups, trace the dangerous policies back to the Gun-Free School Zones Act, which was passed in 1990 as part of the Crime Control Act, which then-Sen. Joe Biden championed. They argue that schools posted as gun-free are seen as soft targets, pointing out that in many cases, school attackers have admitted to seeking out these gun-free locations in their manifestos because of the limited resistance they offer.
Advocates also say that over 13,000 U.S. public schools already allow trained staff to carry concealed handguns and contend that no shootings have occurred at schools where teachers were permitted to be armed. Regardless of the deaths that have occurred because of gun-free school zones, gun-control groups, including Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action, seem to consistently reject these arguments and remain diligent in calling for stricter gun laws rather than arming staff and protecting school children.
What the Poll Means
Of course, this survey doesn’t settle the policy debate, but it offers a snapshot of public opinion that may warrant a renewed national discussion on school security and firearm policy on campus. The anti-gun crowd always says, when pushing new gun control laws; “If it saves even one life”….yet, they are silent when they realize that armed teachers would do exactly that.
Well, it appears that most school parents aren’t buying the anti-gun lobby’s dangerous ideas any longer and these groups may find themselves having to answer to parents on this issue moving forward.
About Dan Wos, Author – Good Gun Bad Guy
Dan Wos is available for Press Commentary. For more information, contact PR HERE
Dan Wos is a nationally recognized 2nd Amendment advocate, Host of The Loaded Mic, and Author of the “GOOD GUN BAD GUY” book series. He speaks at events, is a contributing writer for many publications, and can be found on radio stations across the country. Dan has been a guest on Newsmax, the Sean Hannity Show, Real America’s Voice, and several others. Speaking on behalf of gun-rights, Dan exposes the strategies of the anti-gun crowd and explains their mission to disarm law-abiding American gun-owners.
