The Massachusetts education board has rejected President Trump's proposal to arm teachers in schools. The group passed a resolution Tuesday against the president's plan, which they argue makes schools "less safe."
State Education Secretary Jim Peyser, speaking for the board members, said Trump's plan is just not plausible.
"You need training on an ongoing basis, and teachers just are never going to be that well-trained. Even if they're trained [on how to use] a firearm, they're not going to be trained in the practices they need to be effective in those situations,” State Education Secretary Jim Peyser said Tuesday.
Peyser also called it a "symbolic, ineffective and "ultimately irresponsible" proposal.
Yet, it appears the education board's vote was a symbolic one too, considering it has "no legal or regulatory power," as reported by WBUR. They are perhaps hoping that their stand will at least send a message to other states.
After 17 people were killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, gun control activists called for a new ban on the AR-15 and other restrictions on firearms. Trump, meanwhile, suggested arming teachers would be an effective solution, being careful to note that he only wants teachers who have had the proper training to carry firearms in class.
He was adamant that teachers, who love their students, would not hesitate to protect them in similar situations to the horror story in Parkland. If a few teachers had a gun on their hips in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, they would have "shot the hell" out of the killer.
“It’s time to make schools a much harder target,” he said.
Trump has also proposed reopening mental institutions as a way to address mental health issues.