Two School Districts in St. Louis Area Train and Arm Teachers to Prevent Possible Mass Shooting Attack

Missouri is one of the states that allow teachers and school staff to be armed and serve as protection officers as long as they complete hours of basic training.

In 2014, the Missouri legislature approved Senate Bill 613, also known as the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” which allows teachers to carry concealed guns.

“This act allows a school district to designate one or more school teachers or administrators as a school protection officer. School protection officers are authorized to carry a concealed firearm or self-defense spray device,” the law states. “The officer must keep the firearm or device under his or her personal control at all times while on school property.”

According to KMOV, two school districts in the Saint Louis area decided to train teachers and other district employees with firearms. Shield Solutions, LLC out of West Plains, Missouri provided the training for the two districts.

The Sunrise R-9 School District in southern Jefferson County was the first in the St. Louis region to choose to equip teachers and other district employees with firearms. Armand Spurgin said the district has trained and armed employees for 5 years.

“We knew that we had to do something to mitigate our risk being in a small rural school,” he said.

Sunrise School is a K-through-8 school in the Valle Mines area. Spurgin said he was told it could take 20 to 30 minutes for a deputy to arrive if there was a school shooting.

He said teachers and other employees who volunteer for the program receive 40 hours of training initially and 24 hours of retraining each year. And that’s only if they can pass the screening to be accepted.

“There’s a lot that goes into this, to make sure that you’re you’re a safe individual and your individual can psychologically handle it,” said Spurgin.

Shield Solutions, LLC out of West Plains, Missouri provides the training for the district. The same company also trains employees in the St. Clair R-XII school district in Franklin County.

St. Clair R-XII Superintendent Dr. Kyle Kruse said there haven’t been any incidents to make use of the firearms training his employees have received. But he said the interest in the program hasn’t waned.

I think this is good news.

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SW-User

Its a matter of time when teachers will start shooting students or students each other with in the school with ARMED teachers

Budwick · 70-79, M

@SW-User Students are already killing each other.
I don't remember a teacher going off the deep end.

But, in either event, it might be good to have an armed staff member in the school, giving the police time to manage the food vendor truck parking.

SW-User

@Budwick ...I meant with the armed teachers guns. After that they will finally disarm everybody

Budwick · 70-79, M

@SW-User I know what you meant.
Oh, maybe I didn't.
SO, your scenario is that an unarmed student or teacher takes the gun away from the armed teacher. Is that right?

They will never disarm everybody.
They might try to take guns from law abiding citizens -
But the criminals have a tendency of not following the rules.

SW-User

@Budwick ya, there is a very good saying in the world that usually proves to be true and that is:
“NEVER SAY NEVER “

DavidT8899 · 22-25, M

@Budwick The basic idea is a good one and while anything is possible,I dont think an armed teacher going "off the deep end"is going to be an issue.But Ill tell you what might be:an armed teacher,when confronted with a situation similar to the recent shooting in Texas,doesnt act in fear of their own safety.Hey,if it happened to the cops.....Look,if the teachers choose to be armed and trained,great for them;I have great respect for that.But part of accepting that responsibility is being willing to lay down your life if necessary.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@DavidT8899 Certainly better than simply cowering and waiting to be shot!
Thank you for your comments.

DavidT8899 · 22-25, M

@Budwick Thats true.But for the reasons Ive outlined before,I favor a state/federal program over armed teachers.The respective governments can pay to have at least two armed,trained MARSHALLS patrolling every school,who will be willing-god forbid-to put their life on the line on a moments notice without hesitation,should it become necessary.

BabyLonia · F

@SW-User this is what i thought.

You have guns in schools and in classrooms....watch school shootings go up

Budwick · 70-79, M

@DavidT8899 Perfectly reasonable. I doubt they would allow untrained persons to carry in schools.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@BabyLonia

.watch school shootings go up

Maybe, but then you KNOW the attacker is nuts, going in with ill intent KNOWING there are armed people inside ready to take him down.

DavidT8899 · 22-25, M

@Budwick Plus,an actual marshall will be alot less likely to hesitate if/when the "moment of truth"arrives.