Strong Interest in School Firearms Training
DELAWARE, Ohio – More than 600 individuals from around Ohio and several from other states have applied to participate in a free firearms training program for teachers and school administrative staff announced by the Buckeye Firearms Foundation following the mass shootings last month at a Newtown, Conn. elementary school.
"We knew this would be popular, but the response has exceeded our expectations," said Jim Irvine, chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Foundation. "People doubted if we would fill the first class. That happened in hours. This is something many in our schools have been asking about for a long time. We are already looking past the first class to future dates and locations to meet the demand."
While Ohio generally prohibits firearms at schools, the law includes a provision that allows teachers and staff to carry firearms if the school board approves it. The Armed Teacher Training Program seeks to help teachers get permission to carry concealed firearms on the job and provide advanced training that goes above and beyond the typical requirements of concealed carry.
In addition to Ohio, individuals from Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and West Virginia have applied for the Armed Teacher Training Program, and more teachers inquire about the program every day, the association said.
"We're getting a cross section of middle America," said Dean Rieck, marketing and communications director for the association. "More than a third of applicants are women. Over 70% are teachers, but there are also administrators, office staff, and guidance counselors. Half work in high schools, but many work in kindergartens, grade schools and middle schools. And there's a fairly even distribution of applicants from urban, suburban, and rural areas."
Irvine says the program is entirely voluntary. "No one will be forced to be armed if they choose not to," he said. "The strategy is the same as ordinary concealed carry. No one will ever know who is or is not armed. Those who would seek to do harm in schools should be met with armed resistance even before law enforcement shows up. Over time, schools will no longer be considered easy, risk-free targets."
A few people have questioned the idea of arming teachers who have no firearms experience or may be uncomfortable with guns. "That's a misunderstanding of what we're doing," Rieck said. "Applicants for the program are not firearm novices. More than half already have a concealed handgun license. About 40% of our applicants say they have previous self-defense training. Over 60% say they have moderate to extensive firearm experience. And over 80% have experience with handguns."
Also, graduates will be required to pass the same test as law enforcement personnel. Training will be provided on an advanced level and focused exclusively on active shooter response tactics. The foundation is developing the curriculum and guidelines for the program with Tactical Defense Institute. The first class date is expected to be this spring. Funding will come from private and corporate donations.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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