[Razor]

Originally Posted by Dozer523

Only because of your training, experience and adaptability to dangerous situations.

Are we to dismiss the potential training, experience and adaptability of others out of hand? I know a couple teachers that shoot competitively (IDPA, 3-gun, IPSC). Sure, its not "combat" training, but I'd feel comfortable with them being proxy for an armed professional if a thug is bearing down on my kids and their friends. Not all teachers are like these guys, and I'm not advocating that all teacher must carry, but for those that a) have a valid carry license (i.e., passed whatever prerequisites their state requires for everyone else to carry concealed) and b) want to carry, it seems reasonable to me to let them.

By locking the door, closing the blinds, pulling the drapes. Securing the students in the safest part of the classroom, moving desks and other pieces of furniture to improve the position. Keeping the children quiet and informed and ready to follow instructions instantly. Opening an outside communication line via cell phone to someone who could relay sitreps without tying up primary communications. Being prepared to evacuate via door, window, kicking out the air conditioner, knocking a hole through the floor (I always seem to be in a portable). Continiously evaluating the situation. And being prepared with the baseball and bat to defend my students if the classroom perimeter is breached. Because I (like you) will die trying to save my kids, and yours.

Since it seems we can't assume that most other armed adults in a school would have the training and mindset to defend their students with a firearm, I submit that what you've outlined above is a product of your experiences and training, and can not be expected of most other teachers as well. The default plan often appears to be 'lock the door, huddle in a corner and pray that the bad guy passes us by'. There is no baseball bat (oh my God, you brought a weapon into the classroom?), no fall back position, no plan to save the kids while the teacher sacrifices him/herself to maybe delay the bad guy a couple seconds before he kills the teacher then picks off the kids as they try to crawl through a broken window with jagged glass. There is no assess/reasses cycle, no regular "shooter" drills that involve local law enforcement (although they do monthly fire drills), and often no Plan B to the anemic Plan A of huddle and hope. You're projecting your expectations of planning and action onto an organization that relies on order and obedience (a school classroom), and those that live in that environment. I submit that few teachers and schools would react as you've outlined above, beyond the 'lock the door and pray' step.

My duty is to operate in an Anti-Terrorism mode not Counter-Terrorism.

You're assuming that those of us that would like to see willing teachers/administrators/parents be allowed to carry concealed expect those armed to hunt down a shooter. In my mind, anyhow, I picture an armed teacher herding his/her students out of the building through any available "hole" while providing cover. If the students can't get out (3d story window, barred window, locked door), then the teacher posts him/herself in a position to engage the bad guy coming into the room. I'm not advocating that those armed become surrogate CT forces; rather, when the bad guy breaks through the classroom door, I'd like to have him met with high velocity lead and copper instead of a desperate, unarmed teacher on a futile suicide delaying action.