The horrific shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary has created a lot of questions about the safety of our children at school. Now the entire nation is focused on how this could have happened, why it happened and how can we stop it from ever happening again. Several school districts in East Texas have already made decisions on how they think the best way to handle this problem - allow staff members to carry firearms on campus. Those district are Van and Union Grove ISD.

Still other school districts in East Texas, like Longview ISD, say they have no plans to allow anyone other than school resource officers and security to have guns on campus.

Several school districts in and around the Dallas area have chosen to allow teachers to carry firearms on campus. In fact, Harrold Independent School District in 2008, became the first district in the country to permit teachers and staff to carry concealed weapons. Those participating in the program must hold concealed-carry licenses and be approved by the school board.

Speaking at a Tea Party event in North Richland Hills this past December, Governor Rick Perry warned against a "knee-jerk" reaction from the federal government on gun control in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, and expressed support for allowing teachers to carry guns on campus. He also expressed his continued support for gun rights saying he believed people with concealed-handgun licenses "should be able to carry your handgun anywhere in this state,” and he spoke positively about a Texas school system that allows some staff members to come to school armed.

But Perry was clear in stating that he thought the districts themselves should make the call that is best for them. Meaning local control.

So what do you think East Texas? Are you for or against allowing teachers to be armed with guns on campus? Or do you feel there are other ways we can protect our children? Take the poll below and share your thoughts.

 

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