Donald Trump has reiterated his support for arming teachers with concealed weapons.
On Saturday afternoon, the president returned to Twitter with claims that more guns on campuses would prevent the growing issue of gun violence in U.S. schools; however, he said the decision to give educators firearms should ultimately be left to the states.
“Armed Educators (and trusted people who work within a school) love our students and will protect them,” he wrote. “Very smart people. Must be firearms adept & have annual training. Should get yearly bonus. Shootings will not happen again - a big & very inexpensive deterrent. Up to States.”
Following the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida this month, Trump has continued to express his support for giving guns to teachers “with military or special training experience.” He claimed schools designated as “gun-free zones” would put more lives at risk, as they would be “a magnet for bad people”; however, many have argued that armed authorities on campuses will not definitively prevent another attack, as there was an armed resource officer at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at the time of the mass shooting.
Trump later suggested that the difference between a security officer and teacher is their “love” for the students.
“Well-trained, gun-adept teachers and coaches should be able to carry concealed firearms. A teacher would’ve shot the hell of out him before he knew what happened,” Trump said during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday. “I’d rather have somebody that loves their students and wants to protect their students than somebody standing outside that doesn’t know anybody and doesn’t know the students.”
