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.