Teacher Suing to Carry Gun in School

Sort of a shocking story out of Oregon yesterday:

MEDFORD, Ore. - High school English teacher Shirley Katz insists she needs to take her pistol to work because she fears her ex-husband could show up and try to harm her. She’s also worried about a Columbine-style attack.

But Katz’s district has barred teachers from bringing guns to school, so she is challenging the ban as unlawful, since Oregon is among states that allow people with a permit to carry concealed weapons into public buildings.

“This is primarily about my Second Amendment right and Oregon law and the simple fact that I know it is my right to carry that gun,” said Katz, 44, ...
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I almost don't even know where to begin with this. For one, she cites the Second Amendment in support of her claim. Really? After Garcetti, teachers in the employment of a public school barely have First Amendment rights! That is a pretty ridiculous argument. There are so many reasons why the government would have a compelling interest in limiting her Second Amendment right to bear arms that I am not even going to get into them all.

Next, if we say schools are a safe environment for kids (and we do), why is she worried about her ex-husband somehow breaking into the school and bullying her. What is that saying to the parents of the community? This school is so unsafe that I need my own personal weapon to protect me ... but please, continue sending your children.

                                                                 

Finally, I have to seriously question the fitness to teach of any individual who would want to bring a gun into school. What is the purpose of a gun in this situation if not to kill people? The gun she intends to carry is pictured and if she ever brought that to school, as a principal or superintendent I would immediately fire her.


 

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  • 10/9/2007 2:16 PM Myra Key wrote:
    Does the school have a school resource officer? If so, then she shouldn't fear her husband at school. I'm sure many teachers carry concealed weapons in their car when coming to work, they just haven't been caught or they didn't bother to ask for permission. I am afraid of what could happen if students find out and start breaking into cars. If students did start a gun assault at the school; how would she be able to get to her car and retrieve her gun to protect herself?
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