This entry will be short, sweet, and to the point. Over the last twenty four hours, news has broken about how security guards and sheriff's deputies stood outside of the shooting in Parkland, Florida, not entering to take action. I’ve seen them referred to in any demeaning ways: cowards; unprepared; poor for the job, and so on. But someone has to point out they reflect something else as well: the fact that we are human, and all of us, to some extent, fear for our lives and about our own actions.
Entering into a school shooting is difficult; even for an officer of the law. The thoughts that run through your mind quickly are serious: will I be shot and killed? Could I correctly identify the shooter? If I miss, would I be OK with having shot and killed an innocent child? If I misidentify the shooter, could I kill a child by accident?
These thoughts are not new, they aren’t unique, and they aren’t only the reflections of a coward, as some would brand them. Do I wish that the officer had done more? Absolutely.. but I also understand that there is NO training, no training possible, that can simulate the life and death situation happening in a school shooting? Yes.
Now. Take the law enforcement officer out of that situation, and in their place put a teacher with a gun. With less training with a weapon. Who knows the children directly. And frame those thoughts: “If I miss, could I accidentally kill Tim/Sarah, who is in my 3rd period English class? If I leave this room to hunt the killer, are my students in more or less jeopardy? Am I prepared to die.”
There are no rules to a firefight except the most basic: the person who begins the fight has all the advantages; they choose the time, place and individuals to target.
If trained police officers can second guess the reality — which is again, a HUMAN reaction, how on earth do we expect TEACHERS to engage in a gun battle where they have an emotional investment in all of those present?
Answer: you can’t; and we shouldn’t ever expect such a sacrifice on their behalf.