Teacher tackles gunman suspected in school shootings

[msmith198025]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100224/ap_on_re_us/us_colo_school_shooting


The gunman was walking through a middle school parking lot and taking shots at students with a hunting rifle as terrified teenagers ran for their lives. He had just wounded two students and seemed ready to unleash more violence when a math teacher named David Benke sprung into action.

Benke confronted the 32-year-old gunman, tackled him and pinned him to the ground with the help of another teacher, stopping what could have been a much more violent encounter in a city all too familiar with tragic school shootings. The shooting occurred less than three miles from where the Columbine High School massacre happened nearly 11 years ago.

"Unfortunately he got another round off before I could grab him," Benke said. "He figured out that he wasn't going to be able to get another round chambered before I got to him so he dropped the gun and then we were kind of struggling around trying to get him subdued."

[stevenl]

Yet another reason why they should allow teachers with CCWs to carry.

[HDRoberts]

Yet another reason why they should allow teachers with CCWs to carry.

So a student could steal the teacher's nice semi-automatic pistol, and not half to worry about smuggling a gun to school and making do with grandpa's bolt-action rifle?

These students don't care if they die. Arming the teachers will cause no one to think twice about school shootings.

[stevenl]

So a student could steal the teacher's nice semi-automatic pistol, and not half to worry about smuggling a gun to school and making do with grandpa's bolt-action rifle?

These students don't care if they die. Arming the teachers will cause no one to think twice about school shootings.

Really? I guess the school resource officer should leave his gun at home to. I mean heck the students might steal it...

As a CCW holder, id love for someone to try to take it from me without getting a bullet in them first.

What do you think the teacher is just going to sit it in the drawer of her desk next to the paper clips?

[HDRoberts]

Really? I guess the school resource officer should leave his gun at home to. I mean heck the students might steal it...

As a CCW holder, id love for someone to try to take it from me without getting a bullet in them first.

What do you think the teacher is just going to sit it in the drawer of her desk next to the paper clips?

How do you know what a teacher would do? Especially after hundreds or even thousands of days without incident. All it takes is one careless moment.

Having s single guy who's only concern is safety and security is a different story.

[NickG420]

How do you know what a teacher would do? Especially after hundreds or even thousands of days without incident. All it takes is one careless moment.

Having s single guy who's only concern is safety and security is a different story.

I'll pop that query right back at you smart guy...How do you know what a student will do?? All it takes is one teacher to stop a massacre with one bullet of heroic justice.

Some days I love debating you HD, I really do....And then some days you post things like this and it makes me feel about you like I do about Bob...Which is....Why bother?

[HDRoberts]

I'll pop that query right back at you smart guy...How do you know what a student will do?? All it takes is one teacher to stop a massacre with one bullet of heroic justice.

Some days I love debating you HD, I really do....And then some days you post things like this and it makes me feel about you like I do about Bob...Which is....Why bother?

And why can't the school resource officer/school cop be the one to stop it?

It seems to me you people seem to think the solution to all crime is to arm everyone. If that is the world we are coming to, I'm not sure I want to stay in it.

[stevenl]

How do you know what a teacher would do? Especially after hundreds or even thousands of days without incident. All it takes is one careless moment.

Having s single guy who's only concern is safety and security is a different story.

Because as a CCW permit holder you understand you have certain requirements and obligations to keep your weapon safe?

And as a responsible adult you understand you dont leave a loaded gun unsecure around a bunch of kids. Not because you are worried one will take it and go on a rampage but because you are worried one would want to touch, hold look at and an accident may happen.

[stevenl]

And why can't the school resource officer/school cop be the one to stop it?

It seems to me you people seem to think the solution to all crime is to arm everyone. If that is the world we are coming to, I'm not sure I want to stay in it.

He can, but hes one person on a very big campus.. By having more people with access to guns makes the odds of it happening near someone who can stop it much greater..

Just look at the ft hood thing. Had ALL the soldiers been allowed to carry their guns, the guy would of been lucky to kill one person. But instead only the security/cops had guns so many died waiting for help to get their.

[HDRoberts]

Because as a CCW permit holder you understand you have certain requirements and obligations to keep your weapon safe?

And as a responsible adult you understand you dont leave a loaded gun unsecure around a bunch of kids. Not because you are worried one will take it and go on a rampage but because you are worried one would want to touch, hold look at and an accident may happen.

He also has an obligation to supervise and educate 20+ (nowadays 30+) kids.

Sure, he can lock it away, but it is far too late by the time he gets it out of a safe. By then, the onsite officer can be on the scene.

[stevenl]

Why lock it up? Why not carry it on his/her hip? Or Under the jacket? Or in a purse/bag (ala fannie pack) on them?

Itd be useless to have it locked in a safe.. Perhaps locked in a desk drawer would be ok as long as the drawer locks.

[HDRoberts]

Why lock it up? Why not carry it on his/her hip? Or Under the jacket? Or in a purse/bag (ala fannie pack) on them?

Itd be useless to have it locked in a safe.. Perhaps locked in a desk drawer would be ok as long as the drawer locks.

It's easy to forget to lock a desk drawer. It's easy to set aside a purse. Imagine a person with a holstered weapon walking up a row of student desks, how easy it would be for a student to grab it. An under jacket holster? Many teachers do not wear jackets, and I bet many teachers would take them off periodically as it would be uncomfortable.

[Skyhi]

What's up with the crazies in Littleton, Colorado. Isn't that where Columbine HS is located?

[Bob Haller]

guns in schools is a really terrible idea.

While struggling innocent bystanders can get killed........ KIDS.

[stevenl]

It's easy to forget to lock a desk drawer. It's easy to set aside a purse. Imagine a person with a holstered weapon walking up a row of student desks, how easy it would be for a student to grab it. An under jacket holster? Many teachers do not wear jackets, and I bet many teachers would take them off periodically as it would be uncomfortable.

I highly doubt teachers are that irresponsible.

[HDRoberts]

I highly doubt teachers are that irresponsible.

It's not about responsibility. It's about human nature.

[Salsadancer7]

I thought these schools are supposed to be locked down once school starts......?!

[Bob Haller]

I thought these schools are supposed to be locked down once school starts......?!

You ncant lock down the outdoors.

I spend all my time in schools fixing machines they are pretty secure, to the point of being annoying.

But anyone could start shooting outside.

[wildbill129]

I don't often agree with you HDRoberts, this time I do :-). I normally have no issues with CCW holders. They blend in with the rest of the world so you don't know who has a CCW and who does not. (Except for folks that wear fanny packs. Hello, Captain Obvious). The problem is, CCW training does not teach you gun retention, defensive tactics, etc. I can see a situation, especially in some schools, where an untrained teacher's firearm could be taken from them. With that being said, I would have no problem with the teacher CCW if there was advanced and continuous gun retention and defensive tactics training for teachers, preferably taught by law enforcement. You probably would have quite a few teachers willing to commit to that type of training. In that situation, there would be little risk to the students.

Weapons should NEVER be stored in a purse or a desk drawer. They should only be on their person in a properly secured holster, and completely concealed, so the sheep have no idea you are armed in the first place.

One more thing.....the teacher in the OP is a hero. No telling how many lives he saved. It takes a special person to step up and risk their life for others, especially when they are unarmed. Kudos to him.

[Bear Paws]

How do you know what a teacher would do? Especially after hundreds or even thousands of days without incident. All it takes is one careless moment.

Having s single guy who's only concern is safety and security is a different story. The same as most people that have CCW, they are responsible. They value the right to carry and act accordingly in regard to safty and carelessness,.

And yes teachers should wear a jacket while in class. From what I see things have gotten a little too informal between student and teacher and a great deal of respect has been lost. Maybe in both directions. A teacher is no more your best friend than your parents.


I don't often agree with you HDRoberts, this time I do :-). I normally have no issues with CCW holders. They blend in with the rest of the world so you don't know who has a CCW and who does not. (Except for folks that wear fanny packs. Hello, Captain Obvious). The problem is, CCW training does not teach you gun retention, defensive tactics, etc. I can see a situation, especially in some schools, where an untrained teacher's firearm could be taken from them. With that being said, I would have no problem with the teacher CCW if there was advanced and continuous gun retention and defensive tactics training for teachers, preferably taught by law enforcement. You probably would have quite a few teachers willing to commit to that type of training. In that situation, there would be little risk to the students.

Weapons should NEVER be stored in a purse or a desk drawer. They should only be on their person in a properly secured holster, and completely concealed, so the sheep have no idea you are armed in the first place.

One more thing.....the teacher in the OP is a hero. No telling how many lives he saved. It takes a special person to step up and risk their life for others, especially when they are unarmed. Kudos to him. Exactly.. well said. Because carrying in school is a special circumstance, as say a sky marshal, extra training in retention and defensive tactics would or should be prudent.. But then again, although not mandatory I would suggest that for anyone that carries,. Even a squirrel gun..

As far as gun type, a 9mm or 380 pocket gun rather than a .44 cannon or even a 1911 would be easier to keep possession and control of. I don't think I would want rules on that but rather a suggestion during training.