Bob Marshall would REQUIRE teachers to carry; McEachin "appalled"

Del. Robert G. Marshall is proposing a bill that would require some teachers or other school staff to carry concealed weapons in schools.

Marshall (R-Prince William) requested that the bill be drafted in response to the mass shooting last week at a Connecticut elementary school.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) said through a staff member Wednesday that he does not favor requiring school employees to be armed.

Marshall’s idea had some takers, however.

“I would be very supportive of the idea that properly trained teachers could carry concealed firearms,” said Sen. Richard H. Black (R-Loudoun). “There's no way you’d have 20 innocent children gunned down if you had teachers who could help to defend themselves.”

Philip Van Cleave, who heads the Virginia Citizens Defense League, said he would like to see the state eliminate the gun-free zones surrounding schools. As an interim step, he would support arming teachers and other staff.

“We’d prefer to just see that [gun-free zone] go away, not just [for] teachers but even parents or whoever,” he said. “They’re carrying everywhere else. Why do we not trust them on school grounds? Gun-free zones don’t work, and telling people with permits they can’t carry on school property — the people you don’t want carrying on school property don’t have permits.”

The state lawyer tasked with drafting Marshall’s bill initially questioned whether the General Assembly had the authority to mandate that school boards arm staff, as opposed to simply allowing them to do so, according to a letter from the lawyer provided by Marshall.

“The Constitution of Virginia is fairly unclear on the role of the school boards vis-à-vis the General Assembly with regard to the schools,” wrote Wenzel J. Cummings, staff attorney for the Virginia Division of Legislative Services. Under the Constitution, school boards have “primary responsibility and authority for effectuating the educational policy,” but their authority is “subject to the ultimate authority of the General Assembly,” Cummings wrote.

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Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico), Democratic caucus chair, said in a statement: “I am appalled. There are more guns in America than people, and yet we have one of the highest rates of gun violence in the world. The Governor should know better than to suggest that arming citizens will solve anything. Maybe the Governor should focus on solutions that could actually have an impact, like banning the high-capacity magazines used to inflict horrific violence upon countless American cities, from Aurora to Newton.”

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli II signaled Wednesday that he was open to letting trained teachers carry guns in schools, while Democratic rival Terry McAuliffe called for an armed officer at every elementary campus that wants one.

Cuccinelli, the state’s attorney general, said through a spokesman that he was “open to the discussion” about allowing teachers and other staff to carry weapons.

“[A]s the governor indicated, examining other options — such as arming school resource officers and other properly trained personnel who choose to carry firearms — should be part of any discussion in a review of safety procedures at Virginia schools,” said Cuccinelli spokesman Brian J. Gottstein.

“The AG is open to the discussion,” Gottstein added. “Who ultimately fits the description of ‘properly trained personnel who choose to carry firearms’ would be considered in the school safety review process.”

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Repeater said:

Hey, what about GMU?

Cuccinelli open to armed teachers

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We’d prefer to just see that [gun-free zone] go away, not just [for] teachers but even parents or whoever,” he said. “They’re carrying everywhere else. Why do we not trust them on school grounds? Gun-free zones don’t work, and telling people with permits they can’t carry on school property — the people you don’t want carrying on school property don’t have permits.”

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2a4all said:

Philip Van Cleave, who heads the Virginia Citizens Defense League, said he would like to see the state eliminate the gun-free zones surrounding schools. As an interim step, he would support arming teachers and other staff.

“We’d prefer to just see that [gun-free zone] go away, not just [for] teachers but even parents or whoever,” he said. “They’re carrying everywhere else. Why do we not trust them on school grounds? Gun-free zones don’t work, and telling people with permits they can’t carry on school property — the people you don’t want carrying on school property don’t have permi

The background check to obtain a CHP is a vetting process, which should entitle the bearer to carry on school grounds. Sorry, Peter.

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"That is insanity," Lucas said. "Straight up insanity. We do not want guns in our schools."

Lucas pointed out this year's repealing of the "buy only one gun a month" law.
"Now teachers with guns? Now we want to make them police officers? Come on, give me a break," Lucas told WAVY.com. "They are already overworked, underpaid and now we want them to carry a firearm? That is the dumbest statement made by a governor though this entire process."

Marshall said the only way to stop an attacker is to reciprocate, avoiding the wait for first responders.

"When there's a problem, what does [Lucas] do? She calls 911," Marshall said. "Why does she call 911? To get a guy with a gun there, or a woman with a gun there."

Lucas will submit a bill that closes what she calls the "no background check at gun show" loophole.

"You have all these nut cases buying a boat load of guns right here in Virginia," Lucas said.

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paramedic70002 said:

Saw an interview with, Louise Lucas I think. She was absolutely apopleptic. I think she may have a stroke before this is all over.

Here's her in print comments, but the video is so much more entertaining.

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/portsmouth/more-guns-in-virginia-schools

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paramedic70002 said:

Saw an interview with, Louise Lucas I think. She was absolutely apopleptic. I think she may have a stroke before this is all over.

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DrMark said:

Stop teasing me.

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paramedic70002 said:

Saw an interview with, Louise Lucas I think. She was absolutely apopleptic. I think she may have a stroke before this is all over.

Here's her in print comments, but the video is so much more entertaining.

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/portsmouth/more-guns-in-virginia-schools

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DrMark said:

Stop teasing me.

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Repeater said:

The Donald does not approve; I'm not sure I do either. Of course, Bob is not "pro-choice" ...

Va. bill would order schools to arm teachers

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KYGlockster said:

Do you have Donald's email address?

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Grapeshot said:

Defend our children whenever and wherever required.

Ask those opposed, "Why does Israel not have shootings in schools?"
Learn from the failures AND the successes of others. So endith the First Lesson.

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Citizen said:

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Any school staff who possess a CHP should be allowed to CC. If they want to designate certain individuals from among that group for special training, fine. But, adults don't give up their right to self-defense just because they work in a school.

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2a4all said:

The background check to obtain a CHP is a vetting process, which should entitle the bearer to carry on school grounds. Sorry, Peter.

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We’d prefer to just see that [gun-free zone] go away, not just [for] teachers but even parents or whoever,” he said. “They’re carrying everywhere else. Why do we not trust them on school grounds? Gun-free zones don’t work, and telling people with permits they can’t carry on school property — the people you don’t want carrying on school property don’t have permits.”

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