By Teresa Carson 2 hours, 41 minutes ago

PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) - An Oregon high school teacher on Tuesday sued for her right to bring a gun into the classroom for personal protection, clashing with anti-gun advocates fighting for years to rid U.S. schools of weapons.

The teacher, who has a legal permit to carry a concealed handgun, filed a lawsuit against the Medford school district in southwestern Oregon to overturn the district's rule that prohibits teachers from bringing a weapon onto school grounds.

The standoff between the teacher and the school district has grabbed the attention of both sides of the national gun debate.

After a student shot dead 32 people at Virginia Tech University in April, some pro-gun advocates have argued that teachers and perhaps students should be armed to prevent such tragedies in the future.

"The right to protect yourself is natural, God-given and should not be taken away," said Kevin Starrett, executive director of the Oregon Firearms Federation, which is paying for the teacher's legal bills.

"State law unequivocally allows her to do this," he said.

School safety became a national issue after the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado in which two students killed 13 people. Anti-gun advocates used the tragedy as an example of the need for tighter gun controls.

The teacher's identity is being concealed to protect her from an abusive ex-husband who has made threats against her and her two children. She said the school district cannot adequately protect her.

The lawsuit was filed in Oregon's state Circuit Court in Jackson County and a hearing is set for mid-October.

The 12,370-student school district argues that being gun-free is a condition of her employment.

"We are saying that the school district has the right to regulate the conduct of its employees to foster a safe environment for students and staff," said Tim Gerking, the school district's attorney.

"If they prevail, will other staff members also want to start carrying weapons? What might happen if the gun got into the wrong hands?" said Gerking.

It's sad that teachers and students feel as though they need to bring a gun to school. I remember Columbine like it was yesterday, I was a senior in high school when that happen. I could never wrap my brain enough to go to school and just shoot random people because a few people have picked on them, it's sad.

School used to be a safe place and now i'm even afraid of sending my kids to school, no matter what neighborhood or type of school you go to, there is danger. We are losing these future doctors, lawyers, teachers etc. to senseless violence!

I feel that the teacher has every right to carry a gun!

http://www.bustedtees.com/bt/images/BT-secondamendment-catalog-3129.jpg

You really can't blame the teacher for wanting to protect herself but it's also kind of frightening too.

You really can't blame the teacher for wanting to protect herself but it's also kind of frightening too.

Possibly, Ann, but don't you think all schools need to add more security personnel to keep students, staff and faculty safe from brazen lowlives? Let me know.

Possibly, Ann, but don't you think all schools need to add more security personnel to keep students, staff and faculty safe from brazen lowlives? Let me know.

They should but they won't. Some public schools are struggling money wise, and some are just plain lazy to do anything about the safety of their schools.

I mean if they added more security personnel, the teacher wouldn't thave to worry about carrying a gun to school.

http://www.bustedtees.com/bt/images/BT-secondamendment-catalog-3129.jpg
:rofl:
It took me a while to get that, but once I did I seriously loled

They should but they won't. Some public schools are struggling money wise, and some are just plain lazy to do anything about the safety of their schools.

I mean if they added more security personnel, the teacher wouldn't thave to worry about carrying a gun to school.

Financially struggling schools are one thing, but as for those lazy bum schools, whatever happens to anyone in those schools will be on their heads. Those are the schools that need to cut the political bull and get busy securing the safety of their students, staff and faculty. If they refuse, and it doesn't matter what load of garbage excuse they come up with, don't ever recommend your children go to that school, because it's not a safe school at all.

Damn where has the world come to?? We just can't be safe anywhere now a days :(

I'm confused here, is she wanting the gun to protect herself from her abusive ex-husband AND because of potential school violence OR just to protect herself from the ex-husband?

Guns dont belong in schools, PERIOD ( teachers OR students! )

I'm confused here, is she wanting the gun to protect herself from her abusive ex-husband AND because of potential school violence OR just to protect herself from the ex-husband?

i might be wrong here, but i think she wants to be able to own and use the gun for her own personal protection. you know, after columbine and virginia tech, i assume that she doesn't want to fall victim to a shooting by some crazed student for example and people want to take certain measures to make sure there isn't a repeat of what happened in columbine and virginia tech. however, i also think that she seems to forget the other innocent people who might get caught up in all that ****- the students of whom could find themselves potentially hurt and wounded because of some madman waving a gun at them

Possibly, Ann, but don't you think all schools need to add more security personnel to keep students, staff and faculty safe from brazen lowlives? Let me know.


Well sure more security would be great but most schools have budget cuts every year so there isn't any extra money to hire additional personel. At least thats the way it is in our area. I can understand her wanting to carry a gun if she feels threatened. I'm not saying its right or wrong to carry a gun. I'm just saying I understand how she feels. :)

http://www.bustedtees.com/bt/images/BT-secondamendment-catalog-3129.jpg
rofl!

I'm confused here, is she wanting the gun to protect herself from her abusive ex-husband AND because of potential school violence OR just to protect herself from the ex-husband?
I was just about to post that.

I was just about to post that.
Glad to know I am not the only one who is wondering. I mean, ok lets assume it is because of her abusive husband. Then, she needs a restraining order. The school should already have some sort of security anyways, am I wrong? I know here at our local schools, gates are locked, there is security to check people who want to come on campus, etc. Therefore, if this woman has a crazed ex-husband after her, how abt some flyers with his pic on there for the administration and the security to be know who to be aware of? An employer can only do so much to protect their employees from certain situations that pertain to work. Being that she is a teacher and the potential runs high that students may be harmed because of her ex-husband, then the school needs to try and reinforce and add any additional security measures, BUT! I don't think a gun is going to help in this matter. If she is teaching, what does she think she will do? Have the gun in a holster as she is teaching something? And if he did go onto the school grounds to hunt her down, I doubt she will have time to reach into a purse to get her gun, not to mention how many kids will be injured or killed in this situation. Maybe she needs to rethink her job status.

Glad to know I am not the only one who is wondering. I mean, ok lets assume it is because of her abusive husband. Then, she needs a restraining order. The school should already have some sort of security anyways, am I wrong? I know here at our local schools, gates are locked, there is security to check people who want to come on campus, etc. Therefore, if this woman has a crazed ex-husband after her, how abt some flyers with his pic on there for the administration and the security to be know who to be aware of? An employer can only do so much to protect their employees from certain situations that pertain to work. Being that she is a teacher and the potential runs high that students may be harmed because of her ex-husband, then the school needs to try and reinforce and add any additional security measures, BUT! I don't think a gun is going to help in this matter. If she is teaching, what does she think she will do? Have the gun in a holster as she is teaching something? And if he did go onto the school grounds to hunt her down, I doubt she will have time to reach into a purse to get her gun, not to mention how many kids will be injured or killed in this situation. Maybe she needs to rethink her job status.
We've been told numerous times at our school to check with people in the halls that we don't know and who don't have proper passes. All but the front doors are locked as well, although not having the office right at the front door doesn't really help matters. Anyway, I'd like to think we were safe from crazed exes.

I cant belive Teachers need a gun