Amidst recent school shootings that have taken place across campuses across the nation, Temple City High School has taken measures in order to increase security such as checking student IDs at each gate. Lawmakers and citizens alike have been questioning teachers’ roles in future prevention efforts. We asked teachers about their stances on guns and gun ownership.
Biology teacher Ms. Vy Tague
What is your opinion on gun ownership and how someone can get access to one?
My opinion of gun ownership is that we should still continue to have the right to have a gun. There should be stricter regulations on who should buy guns and stricter tests and we have to make sure you take the safety courses necessary before handling a gun.
What can be done to try and prevent this?
I feel that if someone is disturbed, then having a psychiatric assessment can prevent all of that from happening. Like the Parkland shooter, he fell under the radar and was able to buy a gun… And also no assault rifles. I think assault rifles and semi automatics shouldn’t be in the hands of the public, that’s asking for trouble.
Do you own a gun yourself?
I only have one handgun and it’s locked away safe where it’s supposed to be, I use it recreationally and I’ve never shot at anything living and hopefully I never have to. It’s nothing I use on a day to day basis, sometimes I don’t even think about it. When it’s not in use it’s stored safely away but when it is used it is more for recreation.
What do you think about questions raised over arming teachers?
I think it puts a target on our back, if a gunman were going to be on our school and if they used to go to our school they would probably know to take out the people who can hurt them.
Not Pictured: German teacher Ms. Judith Graunke
How do you feel about the recent measures for campus security with the student IDS?
I don’t know why they have to check it and I feel that the security guards need to know you by who you are.
How do you feel about United States schools’ problem with guns?
I’m concerned that we have so many guns and I don’t see why anybody should have a machine gun, but I do feel that you should have the right to own guns. It’s really a mother father thing, they need to be able to know what their kids are doing [at school], parents not knowing what’s going on is part of the problem.
Do you agree with students protesting for more to be done?
I disagree with the walk out because school time is precious, but talking with other students and creating an initiative process, getting signatures which can get on the ballot, getting something on the ballot can actually make an impact. Protesting doesn’t do much. We can bypass congress, we don’t have to wait for their thoughts and prayers. A group of citizens can start some of those actions.