Experts speak out on arming teachers

Dayton, Ohio (WDTN) - It's a life and death scenario that would be a teachers worst nightmare.

A gunman is lose in the hallways of your school-and you're the only person standing between them and hundreds of innocent children.

Should teachers be armed to defend against such a horrific event , and would they mentally be able to prevent such a tragic scene?

We asked that question of Vince Renda and Brad Hamilton, co-owners of Family Tactical Training.

They said after each tragic shooting, their Wayne Avenue classroom fills up.

"We've seen people who have been against guns we've seen a lot of widows coming in here a lot of elderly people as well as young people coming in here to try to find out how to use a firearm. "said Renda.

"An increasing number of women are coming in for training, many of them are teachers." Hamilton added.

University of Dayton Law and Education Professor Charles Russo said proponents of arming teachers are well intended but misinformed, "In a crisis situation we want teachers to focus on getting the kids out of harms way rather than fumbling in their desks or going into a closet to find a weapon."

Russo believes the money could be better spent identifying troubled students, and council them before they act out.

He also suggests routine drills and bullet proof glass in all school windows and doors with a singular entry and exit point..

He adds, "I've spoken with a number of friends, former police officers, military people we all seem to agree that most teachers are not prepared to use weapons."

Hamilton, who's wife is a teacher, says the only way teachers can be fully prepared is if they are properly trained.

"After the shooting that happened in Connecticut I got home and my wife was in tears. My wife came into my class and got her CCW that very next weekend."

Renda concluded, "Ever since that Colorado shooting we've seen a large influx of people who've never touched a gun, never wanted to touch a gun but now they want a gun for self protection, again that bubble has popped "Oh I'm safe, it's not going to happen to me it's always going to happen to somebody else."