Trump doubles down on arming teachers, administrators

<p>President Donald Trump doubled down Thursday on his statement calling for teachers and school administrators who are &quot;adept&quot; at handling guns to be armed.</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 22, 2018, 10:18 PM

Updated 2,245 days ago

Share:

President Donald Trump doubled down Thursday on his statement calling for teachers and school administrators who are "adept" at handling guns to be armed.
"We have to harden our schools, not soften them up," said the president. "A gun-free zone to a killer or someone who wants to be a killer – that's like going in for ice cream."
President Trump did clarify those statements during a meeting with state and school leaders about school safety. He says he doesn't want every teacher and administrator carrying a gun – only those with previous training, like members of law enforcement or the military. 
New York State United Teachers spokesman Carl Korn says that "It's hard to think of a worse idea." 
He says more guidance counselors and mental health professionals are needed, not guns.
"It's misguided and counterproductive to think that arming our teachers and militarizing our schools will make them safer," says Korn. 
Some parents News 12 Long Island spoke with agreed, saying that a student could possibly wind up with a teachers gun. 
Ronnie Nelson, of Baldwin, is a retired Marine and a school administrator. He agrees with the president.
"For someone like me to be armed, who carried a gun for 18 years, I don't think it's a bad idea," said Nelson. 
The president of the Suffolk County Schools Superintendent's Association says this is just the beginning of a very controversial conversation.
President Trump says teachers and administrators who carried guns would be paid extra and would have to undergo annual training. He also said that he opposes active shooter drills because he thinks they are a negative thing for kids.


More from News 12
1:40
West Islip student accused of bringing gun, bullets to high school pleads not guilty

West Islip student accused of bringing gun, bullets to high school pleads not guilty

2:19
Chances for showers next 2 days; cooler trend for rest of workweek

Chances for showers next 2 days; cooler trend for rest of workweek

1:04
Driver in fatal shooting of Detective Jonathan Diller pleads not guilty

Driver in fatal shooting of Detective Jonathan Diller pleads not guilty

1:59
State budget tentative agreement allows school boards to move forward

State budget tentative agreement allows school boards to move forward

1:53
DEC: 3rd layer discovered under chemical drums already uncovered at Bethpage park

DEC: 3rd layer discovered under chemical drums already uncovered at Bethpage park

0:22
Police: 2 officers injured while making arrest at Bellerose 7-Eleven

Police: 2 officers injured while making arrest at Bellerose 7-Eleven

0:30
Police: 23-year-old charged for scrawling antisemitic graffiti in East Meadow

Police: 23-year-old charged for scrawling antisemitic graffiti in East Meadow

0:40
More than 200 pizzerias on LI band together to raise money for fallen NYPD detective

More than 200 pizzerias on LI band together to raise money for fallen NYPD detective

1:52
‘Wastewater Olympics’ held in East Rockaway ahead of Earth Day

‘Wastewater Olympics’ held in East Rockaway ahead of Earth Day

1:50
Made on Long Island: Ronance Mouthwatering Morsels in Bellmore

Made on Long Island: Ronance Mouthwatering Morsels in Bellmore

2:23
State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

1:43
Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

1:32
Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

1:33
Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

1:32
Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

1:39
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

4:39
Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

1:49
Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

0:32
State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway