While this may sound fine on the surface, in my opinion, it simply negates the fact that people have to take responsibility for their own safety and protection, NOT delegate that responsibility and authority to the government. All this winds up doing is further tilting the balance of power away from the citizens to the government. The ultimate result of such thinking, of course, will be that NO ONE needs to be armed because of all the kindly officers we have stationed within shouting distance and direct line of sight all across the country.
If an armed resource office is granted the privilege to have a gun in any given area, then why should that privilege be denied to anyone else? Certainly ALL of the staff at any given school can't be afraid to make the safety of the students part of their official responsibilities, can they? Certainly they all can't view guns as venomous serpents lashing out randomly at everyone who touches one.
So, perhaps the best course is to just admit that this experiment with gun free zones has failed miserably and look for a better solution that won't actually allow people to be killed more easily because there is NO effective defense against it in those places.
The resource officers would be members of local law enforcement. Either police or sheriff's deputies from the community. That way people know them and trust them. No way you want something like that in hands of fed-gov. Keep it within the scope of the state so you have a little flexibility depending on the areas.
I agree 100% that people need to be responsible for their own safety, but that is hard to convince everyone of. The soft heart, "this will never happen here and guns are icky" people will not allow a large number of guns to be carried in schools. It does not mater whether or not teachers would agree to be armed or not, the sheeple would rail against it.
Using a resource officer is a concession and a way to placate both sides.
The people who want another safeguard get it, and the anti-gun people are happy with the controlled aspect of a well trained LEO being in the position.
Gun-free zones are an utter and complete failure, but no one in an authority position wants to admit it. Everyone in safety and security commission knows it, but you won't catch them saying it in public. I've seen the data and it is sickening.
Surveys of parents is also very disheartening. They make it seem like they would rather leave their children open to slaughter, than have even a single gun on the property.
People need to realize that violence is here and we have to protect ourselves and our children. It's not about putting an armed officer on every city block. It's about teaching people how to be aware and report issues, along with how to protect yourself in the event it does happen.
Everyone should read this:
On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs - Dave Grossman
I am a sheepdog. It is my job to protect and secure. I would step between any one of you and dangerous person. It's my job and my life's work to figure how to keep wolves from getting through.
