Politics & Government

School Principals Carrying Guns? Buckhead Parents Say 'It's a Bad Idea'

Some Buckhead parents are saying that although something needs to be done to ensure school safety in light of the recent Newtown elementary school shooting, allowing principals to carry concealed weapons is not the likely solution.

A bill proposed by one state representative would allow school principals to carry firearms, but some Buckhead parents don't think that would make their schools any safer.

The proposed bill from State Rep. Paul Battles, a Republican from Bartow County, would allow local school districts to decide if principals are allowed to carry concealed firearms.

Battles said that the principals would be required to complete the same training that resource officers complete. He said his bill would allow schools that can't afford resource officers to still have an armed, trained professional in the building.

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This bill, along with several others, are responses to the tragic shooting that left 20 children and seven adults dead at Sandy Hook Elementary more than a month ago in Newtown, CT.

Cynthia Briscoe Brown, co-president of the NAPPS and mother of a current North Atlanta High junior and a NAHS alumna, said, "I think it's a bad idea. Firearms and children in close proximity is never a good idea."

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She said that having principals or school faculty carry weapons would place an additional burden on them.

"I think you're asking for trouble, and it's asking too much of our principals," Brown said. "I think there are many better ways to protect our children than arming our principals."

Leigh Darby, co-president of NAPPS and a preschool teacher, said she is "on the fence" about the bill.

"I know something needs to be done on this, but not sure if this is the best answer having our teachers carry firearms. I am a preschool teacher as well and not sure that I would want to do this," Darby told Buckhead Patch in an email.

Should principals be allowed to carry concealed weapons? If they are, do you want your child's principal to carry one? Tell us why or why not in the comments section below.


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