Educators React to NRA's Plan for Armed Security in Schools

The National Rifle Association has called for armed guards in all schools across the country and said it will develop a model school emergency response program for every school that wants to use it. 

"The only way to stop a monster from killing our kids is to be personally involved and invested in a plan of absolute protection," said Wayne LaPierre, a lobbyist for the NRA. "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."

During Friday's NRA press conference, LaPierre blamed the media, video games and films among other things for the violent culture in society.  

Speaking for the first time since 26 children and adults were killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., LaPierre said that he was calling on Congress to act immediately, before students returned to school, "to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every school."

Jay Ragley, a spokesperson for the South Carolina Department of Education, said he couldn't comment on the statement because it lacked such details as who pays for the cost of the officers, who hires them, who trains them, etc.

Since the mass shooting last Friday, there has been much talk of gun control and arming teachers at schools.

President Barack Obama has announced the creation of a task force to address gun control/violence.

In South Carolina, a Florence lawmaker has prefiled a bill that would allow school employees with a concealed weapons permit to carry a weapon on school grounds. 

As for the proposed bill, Ragley said Superintendent Dr. Mick Zais has not taken a position. 

"He hopes the General Assembly will consider input from principals, teachers and the public about the bill if it is considered by the House Judiciary Committee," Ragley said. 

For parents that are concerned about school safety, Ragley assured them schools are safe. 

"Parents and educators always have school safety at the top of their priority list," he said. "Relative to other public buildings and locations, such as parks or shopping malls, schools are very safe for children."

Read the NRA's full statement in the attached PDF. 

LaPierre said the NRA was going to develop a model National School Shield Emergency Response Program for every school that wanted it, which could be tweaked, if needed. 

"From armed security to building design and access control to information technology to student and teacher training, this multi-faceted program will be developed by the very best experts in their fields," LaPierre said. 

Former Arkansas Congressman Asa Hutchinson, who will serve as the national director of the program, said the plan doesn't depend on "massive funding" from local authorities or the federal government.

Instead, the program would use "local volunteers serving in their own communities."