Tamaqua proposes ‘armed staff’

Dear Editor,

I recently read an article about the Tamaqua School Board taking “one step closer to having armed staff in its schools.”

As a reader I was taken aback. As a high school student I was horrified by the proposition. In light of recent events, referring to perhaps the Parkland massacre, the Harvest Music Festival shooting in Las Vegas, Pulse Night Club or Sandy Hook. How could one forget the Virginia Tech massacre?

Much rhetoric and conversations have been centered on gun control legislation and school safety. It is not surprising really, as half of the incidents I listed happened in schools. I remember sitting in class at St. Joseph Regional Academy when the Sandy Hook shooting happened. My teacher wept. We saw on TV the faces of some of the victims, no older than 6 or 7. I remember opening up my news feed, coming home from school last year only to see more names, more faces of victims. This time they were my age.

As a student, I was horrified to see the article about the Tamaqua Area School Board proposing arming staff and faculty. Have they considered the implications? As a pacifist, I stand firmly against armed conflict. As a rational human being, I stand firmly against adding more guns to any gun situation to rectify the gun issue.

Let’s consider this first: the budget. School district budgets have been slashed. They will be slashed again. Some schools in the state can barely afford to heat their buildings, let alone pay for armed guards or training staff. Let’s consider if even the budget can somehow afford to arm the staff: will it even work? I am in no way doubting or criticizing the dedicated staff, faculty members and teachers.

Three staff members died in the Parkland massacre, caught in the line of fire trying to protect students. However, carrying a gun does not necessarily mean it would even be effective should an attack or intrusion occur. After all, during the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, numerous concertgoers were carrying weapons but still were unable to apprehend the perpetrator before he killed 58 people. Many considerations and questions remain. Wouldn’t a school shooter target staff members first if they knew they may be carrying? What if a student or another person were able to take the gun off the teacher and use it for nefarious purposes?

I just hope teachers, parents, board members and students will consider these implications before the public meeting on Oct. 16. I know I have, every day when my younger brother returns home. He attends high school at Marian Catholic, which is located in the Tamaqua school district.

Most respectfully

Grace Crouthamel

Jim Thorpe