Editor:
After the horrific shootings in Connecticut, we all hope to find a way to prevent this tragedy from ever happening again. Right now — as in the past — many in our nation are looking to gun control, and the pundits are insisting we act now, while emotions are still high.
Being a member of the Montana Legislature, I am in a position to enact law to protect my fellow Montanans, the teachers and children in our schools. Over the past week, I have lost sleep due to the heartache and trying to find an answer.
Some have suggested limiting violent video games. This may be a good place for parents to start, but we all know that kids will get and play these games, even if it is illegal. Others have suggested gun control. Yet this tragedy occurred in a gun-free zone, as do most mass shootings. Moreover, we all know that gun control is not going to take weapons off the streets or out of the hands of dangerous people. If simply banning something got rid of it, cocaine, heroin and meth should have disappeared years ago.
I have spoken to many people over the past few days — trying to find a solution. Most people don’t have an answer. Of course we need to look at how Montana handles mental health. The truth is, however, that we cannot legislate goodness in people, and more importantly, we cannot legislate evil out of the heart of bad people.
Ultimately, we need to allow our teachers to have the ability to protect themselves and our kids.
I have several ideas how to do this safely, without compromising the classroom environment for teachers or students. First, teachers should be trained to use a taser and/or pepper spray, which would be securely placed in every classroom. Second, I suggest we put at least one firearm in every school, perhaps in the principal’s office, locked up of course, with several administrators having access and training on how to use it. Finally, teachers who wish to use their concealed carry permits on school grounds, should be allowed to do so, perhaps with additional training. Concealed carry — with a permit — should also be allowed on college campuses.
We may be helpless to stop another of these evil and senseless acts, but we do not have to stand by powerless, waiting, and hoping that it does not happen in one of our Montana elementary schools, high schools or college campuses.
I am interested in what Montana thinks about these ideas. You can email constructive ideas to me at champ.edmunds@yahoo.com
Rep. Champ Edmunds
Missoula
Don't you know how to read? Or do you prefer to just spin my comments any way you like?
I didn't say anything against arming teachers. Give them all a machine gun for all I care. What I am against is carrying concealed weapons. Anybody that read my comment knows that. But not you?
Concealed carry is a totally Republican backed law. It is a law written by the conservative Republican outfit know as ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC is a well funded lobbying group masquerading as some kind of "educational" foundation. It's a fraud, A Republican fraud.
ALEC is the same kind of fraudulent organization as the American Tradition Partnership, which secretly, and illegally funds political campaigns for people like Champ Edmunds, AND Wendy Warburton, if their own documents don't lie. Birds of a feather, do you think?
Speaking of birds of a feather, "of course it is republicans fault", which one are you? Are you a Republican too? Are you a fellow traveler too? Are you now, or have you ever been, a card-carrying member of the anti-American, subversive group know as the Republican Party of the United States?
Of course you just might be a car cheat. Card cheats like to carry a derringer up their sleeve, don't they? I think that just about covers all contingencies now. If you favor a concealed carry law you are either a Republican, a card cheat, or a coward. I don't see any other wiggle room there. Do you? Come clean now "of course it is republicans fault". You'll feel better about yourself, for the first time in a long time I'll bet.