General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Right Wing Extremist LaPierre's Lunatic Plan for Police in Schools Debunked [View all]unblock
(52,113 posts)the difference between having trained, armed personnel on site 100% of the time vs. having trained, armed personnel arrive at the scene a few minutes later is NOT merely the time difference.
by far the bigger difference is the TIME and probability that weapons are on site. 100% of the time with 100% certainty vs. only for a few minutes in the 0.0001% chance they'll actually be needed.
it's that huge presence when they're NOT needed that presents all manner of problems and risk. whatever the advantage is of having a few minutes jump on the situation in terms of having an armed defence on site (unclear, given that mass shooters will simply plan for this, but sure, there's likely some small benefit) is completely dwarfed by the extra risk from having the weapons there the rest of the time.
if, say, two armed personnel (be they cops, teachers, security guards, whatever) were at each school in the country, we would see a huge surge in smaller incidents -- accidental shootings, armed personnel getting bored and falling asleep or getting bopped on the head and school kids taking their gun and bad things happen from there, etc. not the sensational mass killings, but probably more school kids and teachers would die across the country. nevermind problems with guards or teachers getting frustrated while armed, and anyone who has worked in a school will tell you that few jobs can be more frustrating....