Wk9AssgnGordonL

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Walden University *

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4001

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Sociology

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by MegaOstrich4054

1 Policy Brief and Analysis Melissa Lozito Bachelor of Social Work, Walden University COURSE 4100-1: Policy and Advocacy Dr. Melissa Lozito April 30, 2023
2 Policy and Brief Analysis School violence has grown to be a major concern due to a lack of understanding, exposure to violent situations and social margins that harm interpersonal connections. It is more challenging to maintain a peaceful environment when school violence has increased in frequency. A minor problem can be stopped from getting worse by informing and educating nearby communities’ schools, kids, and parents. This essay will analyze how gun safety for teachers work if they are used. I will explain the main reasons why this bill is being implemented, gun laws, and how guns should be used. The bill that I will analyze is Senate Bill No. 2079. Legislators in Mississippi recently approved the Senate Bill 2079 that its sponsor, Angela Burks Hill, thinks will give districts the options to think about adding another layer of security (Blackmarr, 2023). The bill enables the school to select staff members who would be interested in being armed at school to go through additional training program to acquire a certification from the department of public safety, and the school protection program who is not a law enforcement officer, as defined in Section 45-6-3, must be at the very least be in possession of a firearms license issued under Section 45-9-101 (Sente bill 2079, 2023). It would permit school staff to have the title of school guardians while carrying guns on school property. The bill is in place so that teachers who want to has a chance to defend themselves and their students if teachers are given the right to carry weapons (Blackmarr, 2023). Teachers and their students’ lives are in the shooter’s hands if they are unarmed. Without a weapon, a teacher has no chance of defending themselves or their students. According to Bryant (2018), the goal of permitting teachers to carry weapons is to give people the freedom to exercise their fundamental human right to the defense of life and liberty. The rationale of the issue is there are not enough
3 resources to station law enforcement at every school, so the bill suggests teachers can at least be armed, prepared, and trained to act quickly. Supporters and Opposers of Policy Senate Angela Hill is one supporter that will allow teachers to carry a concealed weapon on school property. A local parent applauds the legislation, noting the recent spate of violent occurrences in Mississippi and the nation's educational systems (McCoy, 2023). Some parents believe there should be no problems with teachers retaining additional protection on them, if the law is correctly applied. The main responsibility, according to Tindell, whose department is in charge of managing and supporting the program, is to safeguard students and the school from an active shooter. The supporters also believe that teachers had a right to take a stand and fight for their Second Amendment and the right to bear arms. The idea of arming teachers is opposed by some educators and parents. Representative John Hines raised concerns about the bill’s requirement that guardians carry a gun with them at all times, calling it “overkill” (McCoy, 2023). School adminstators are concerned about the higher risk that comes with having more weapons on school grounds. Most districts will not likely participate in the program due to the hazards involved, including the possibility of accidents involving carrying a gun and significant increase in insurance costs (James, 2023). Another issue with this policy is that most insurance companies will not participate in this program. According to James (2023) one insurance company has already informed Marcus Burger of Ross and Yerger, a local insurance brokerage, that it has no intention of covering any liabilities associated with the program.
4 In my opinion, I can see the pros and cons on both sides of Senate Bill 2079. No matter how it happens, criminals and those with mental illnesses who want to hurt others by using firearms will be able to get their hands on a gun. Therefore, other citizens will be able to defend themselves if and when a threat from a person armed with a gun occurs. As one parent noted, whether our children are with us or not, we must always take precautions to keep them safe (McCoy, 2023). Most schools have security officers and not police officers within the school system. Honestly, there are just not enough officers to be out of every school at least not the amount of law enforcement that would be needed. We also need to consider the fact that the concern should be on what weapons kids are bringing into the schools as well. School is a place where the teachers and students should feel safe. There are so many questions that need to be asked when bringing firearms into the schools surrounded by thousands of students. Such as how will guns be used and stored? How do we ensure kids will not get access to them? Hines raised the question if a teacher accidently fires a gun because it fell out of the holster or if there is a fight between students and they try to break it up and one of the students snatches the teacher’s gun and someone else who was not involved get shot, how would this be handled (James, 2023). I would oppose the idea of teachers carrying firearms in schools. If you look at the overall picture it is not safe for teachers or students because anything can happen and go wrong. Political officials must enact legislation that shield children from gun violence rather than placing the burden on teachers. History of Current Issue In July, the Mississippi Board of Education decided to repeal a rule from 1990 that prohibited anyone from bringing firearms into the state’s public elementary and secondary schools (Crown, 2023). Representative Nick Bain submitted a similar bill to Senate Bill 2079.
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