Douglas County School District has purchased 10 semi-automatic rifles for security

[OutHouse]

ummm wow.



http://www.thedenverchannel.com/new...rifles-for-security-director-of-security-says

 

[rommelrommel]

Who cares? Law enforcement gets the right tool to deal with an active shooter.

 

[OutHouse]

Who cares? Law enforcement gets the right tool to deal with an active shooter.

school districts are law enforcement? damn when did that happen?:\

im curious, why did you post that?

 

[rommelrommel]

school districts are law enforcement? damn when did that happen?:\

im curious, why did you post that?

I read the link beyond the headline...

They already have armed officers, they simply bought a few rifles for them. What is there to be upset about?

 

[OutHouse]

I read the link beyond the headline...

They already have armed officers, they simply bought a few rifles for them. What is there to be upset about?

first im not upset by it,

second. they arent cops.

 

[Exterous]

They already have armed officers, they simply bought a few rifles for them. What is there to be upset about?

While not upset I do find it concerning that it may be a trend of over-militarization in order to deal with an incredibly small threat. School shootings only happen in around 0.02% of grade schools per year

 

[PokerGuy]

While not upset I do find it concerning that it may be a trend of over-militarization in order to deal with an incredibly small threat. School shootings only happen in around 0.02% of grade schools per year

That's my perspective as well. I'm fine with them having the right tools to handle the job, but semi-auto rifles for security in schools seems extreme unless you are dealing with an extreme situation. I don't think every security officer should be equipped / armed to take on a possible extreme situation.

 

[Sonikku]

Why stop there? Why not buy miniguns? :hmm:

 

[brycejones]

school districts are law enforcement? damn when did that happen?:\

im curious, why did you post that?

Many school districts have their own sworn officers. In Texas they are one of the 96 branches of law enforcement.

 

[WackyDan]

Many school districts have their own sworn officers. In Texas they are one of the 96 branches of law enforcement.

This... And I pretty much have zero concern about a school security officer having access to an AR-15. They are likely former police officers or former military or both. As the article states, they train closely with the Sheriff's department - They are professionals that already carry sidearms.

 

[Jmman]

I live in Colorado and have absolutely no issue with this. If it was up to me we would have armed officers at every school. No exceptions......

 

[interchange]

Let's weigh a couple of things:
1. Likelihood that 10 assault rifles will impact a mass shooter event * likelihood of a mass shooter event happening in Douglas CO Colorado
2. Impact of validating to a potential mass shooter that they are different and dangerous to society, thereby reducing the chance of filling an alternative role

Seems like most can do the math there. Nonetheless, this kind of stuff and "active shooter drills", etc. are increasing. Security theater. Awful stuff.

 

[DrPizza]

I live in Colorado and have absolutely no issue with this. If it was up to me we would have armed officers at every school. No exceptions......

Completely pointless. As evidenced by one of the recent thwarted attempts at a large school shooting, the perpetrator's plans included the resource officers schedule - he was going to be the first person shot.

A kid not taking an officer in the school into account would be like holding up a bank that has an armed guard in the doorway, without worrying about that armed guard until after you hold up the bank. Armed guards serve as a deterrent to someone who's not willing to get into a fire fight. An armed officer in a school doesn't deter someone who has already stepped over the line and decided they're going to shoot people.

 

[OutHouse]

I live in Colorado and have absolutely no issue with this. If it was up to me we would have armed officers at every school. No exceptions......

I live in weld county there has been a cop stationed at each school my kids have gone to.

 

[SMOGZINN]

This... And I pretty much have zero concern about a school security officer having access to an AR-15. They are likely former police officers or former military or both. As the article states, they train closely with the Sheriff's department - They are professionals that already carry sidearms.

There is zero oversight on who they hire to be these armed security. They are much more likely to be the superintendents alcoholic brother-in-law than a former police officer (and if they are former police they are probably former for a reason).

 

[Jmman]

Completely pointless. As evidenced by one of the recent thwarted attempts at a large school shooting, the perpetrators plans included the resource officers schedule - he was going to be the first person shot.

A kid not taking an officer in the school into account would be like holding up a bank that has an armed guard in the doorway, without worrying about that armed guard until after you hold up the bank. Armed guards serve as a deterrent to someone who's not willing to get into a fire fight. An armed officer in a school doesn't deter someone who has already stepped over the line and decided they're going to shoot people.

I disagree. First of all, just 'planning' to shoot an armed officer does not mean that is how it will actually happen. I will put my money on the trained official who has police and most likely military training against the crazed 16 year old with a wish to shoot people. I see no downside in making schools a 'harder' target than most of them currently are.....

 

[Jmman]

There is zero oversight on who they hire to be these armed security. They are much more likely to be the superintendents alcoholic brother-in-law than a former police officer (and if they are former police they are probably former for a reason).

And you are aware of their hiring practices how? If you read the article posted, you will see that they have extensive firearms and active shooter training. I can almost guarantee extensive background checks as well. Here in Colorado we take this stuff seriously since we have had a few of these incidents.....

 

[Genx87]

I disagree. First of all, just 'planning' to shoot an armed officer does not mean that is how it will actually happen. I will put my money on the trained official who has police and most likely military training against the crazed 16 year old with a wish to shoot people. I see no downside in making schools a 'harder' target than most of them currently are.....

You would be shocked at how inept cops are with guns. A lot of them barely train except right before their gun handling tests.

The downside is the acceptance of living in a defacto military state. Generations of children will think it is the norm the govt walks around on patrol with guns.

 

[Darwin333]

I live in Colorado and have absolutely no issue with this. If it was up to me we would have armed officers at every school. No exceptions......

Umm, why? Exactly how often do we need armed security guards at 90% of our schools? If there is some sort of columbine type situation they are going to be the first targets and will likely never see it coming. So we are talking about student on student issues being the most likely scenario that the on campus security guard will ever get the opportunity to use their guns.

Having them locked up at the school sounds like an incredibly dumb idea too. You have to secure them well enough that a kid can't possibly gain access to them which means it will take a long time to unsecure them not to mention simply getting to where they are located during an "active shooter" scenario. Furthermore, I am 95% positive that the "training" they are talking about is simply checking out on the weapon and not any type of special "lone ranger active shooter" training. That takes more than a few hours twice a year.

TBH, in a school type situation where there are tons of rooms you have to enter I'd much rather have a shorter carbine than an AR-15 anyway, especially if I am by myself, which they will be at the time. OTOH, it doesn't overly concern me. Once these guys get new shiny toys they tend to really want to use them but being a full time school security guard they should be more constrained. I just see it as a waste of money that could have been better spent on just about anything but that's up to the residents of the county they serve to decide.

 

[Darwin333]

I disagree. First of all, just 'planning' to shoot an armed officer does not mean that is how it will actually happen. I will put my money on the trained official who has police and most likely military training against the crazed 16 year old with a wish to shoot people. I see no downside in making schools a 'harder' target than most of them currently are.....

No way. I put my money on the crazed kid willing to commit mass murder and then committing suicide any day. He has the element of surprise and the security guard will likely never see or hear the shot that kills him. Kid walks up behind him and shoots him in the back of the head and then goes on about his plan. There are dozens of other scenarios as well. Kid holds another student as a human shield and shoots at security guard who can't return fire.

In an active shooter situation a single armed security guard, very likely in the same place at the same time every single day, isn't a deterrent nor is he likely to stop the shooter(s). Much more likely that he simply provides them with another gun. Not that that is a reason not to have armed security guards at schools but lets not kid ourselves and think that these guys are going to prevent a columbine type attack. We are talking about people that plan on committing suicide after they kill as many people as possible and usually have fairly well thought out plans not someone that just snaps and starts shooting willy nilly.

Anyone who thinks that an armed security guard at Columbine would have resulted in anything more than a dead security guard is crazy. Hell one of the school shootings (maybe Columbine?) the kids thought it through enough to try and create BLEVE explosions with propane tanks and you think that they aren't going to take the security guard, that they see every single day, into account? If you want to make them "harder" targets you would require multiple armed security guards at each school located in different areas.

 

[Jmman]

So exactly how many SRO's or officers have been killed by 'crazed' teenagers? Yeah, that's right, none. I am not holding my breath either. On the other hand, we have situations like Arapahoe High School where the incident comprised a whole 80 seconds due to the fact the shooter was confronted with armed resistance. I think these kids are more likely to commit suicide when confronted, like Sandy Hook, like Arapahoe, instead of trying to shoot it out with officers. Even if it doesn't prevent every instance, it might prevent some. Maybe might even save your own child's life. Personally I am thankful to see an armed SRO at my son's school.

 

[MixMasterTang]

And you are aware of their hiring practices how? If you read the article posted, you will see that they have extensive firearms and active shooter training. I can almost guarantee extensive background checks as well. Here in Colorado we take this stuff seriously since we have had a few of these incidents.....

Seeing as you keep stating they most likely have prior law enforcement or military experience he probably got information about their hiring practices from the same place you did.

 

[Jmman]

Seeing as you keep stating they most likely have prior law enforcement or military experience he probably got information about their hiring practices from the same place you did.

Maybe because it says so in the article?

"According to the district, all eight armed security officers have law enforcement experience and already carry handguns."

 

[Exterous]

Even if it doesn't prevent every instance, it might prevent some. Maybe might even save your own child's life. Personally I am thankful to see an armed SRO at my son's school.

There is a point of diminishing returns in the attempt to create a completely safe world for your child to live in and many have a disconnect on where that line is. That doesn't stop them from making that the all encompassing cry for action though. Do you let your child use stairs or be around pools? If so your child is waaaaay more likely to be saved from death by avoiding those than by being in a school with armed guards.

But since its all about saving the children I look forward to your campaigning against stairs and pools. It wouldn't prevent every instance but it might prevent some and thats all the excuse needed right?

 

[Jmman]

There is a point of diminishing returns in the attempt to create a completely safe world for your child to live in and many have a disconnect on where that line is. That doesn't stop them from making that the all encompassing cry for action though. Do you let your child use stairs or be around pools? If so your child is waaaaay more likely to be saved from death by avoiding those than by being in a school with armed guards.

But since its all about saving the children I look forward to your campaigning against stairs and pools. It wouldn't prevent every instance but it might prevent some and thats all the excuse needed right?

Nice straw man there. There is absolutely no way to protect every facet of your child's life, but having an SRO or an armed guard at the school just seems prudent.