Arming teachers is not a viable solution
As a teacher and longtime responsible gun owner and enthusiast (trained by the National Rifle Association and licensed to carry in Pennsylvania), I feel that President Donald Trump’s recently proposed plan to arm teachers is a huge mistake (Feb. 22, “Trump Pledges Action During Meeting on School Shootings”).
The major teachers organizations have already expressed their condemnation of this idea.
The president’s assumption that teachers toting concealed weapons would be able to prevent mass shootings is another example of his penchant for magical thinking, since he does not allow for the all-important element of surprise. Even welltrained teachers (if you could find willing participants) would be no match for the sudden attack of an assault-rifle-wielding shooter.
Almost every day we see highly armed and trained police officers all over this country gunned down by criminals who “got the drop” on them. James Butler Hickok, better known as “Wild Bill,” perhaps the greatest “shootist” of the Old West, did not stand a chance against the cowardly “back shooter” Jack McCall.
In addition, I would ask: Do we want our teachers to function as security guards or to focus on the crucial job of educating our children? And do we want our kids to experience a welcoming, stress-free learning environment or an armed camp?
This half-baked idea is not a viable solution to the problem of school security. CHARLES WIEBE
Ohio Township
We welcome your opinion
Thank you for the Feb. 18 Sunday Magazine focus on Mister Rogers. He was truly a Pittsburgh treasure. My son was born in 1974, and I didn’t allow him to watch much television when he was growing up, but he was permitted to watch “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” every day. I appreciated the slow, gentle rhythms of Fred Rogers’ voice and its soothing effect on my exuberant, always moving little boy.
When Mr. Rogers died, I called Matthew, who by that time was living and working as an attorney in Kansas City. I asked him what he remembered about Mr. Rogers, and he recalled feeling “calmed” by watching the show.
A few years later, Matthew was tragically killed by the collapse of a tower crane in Bellevue, Wash. In my utter shock and despair, I remember thinking that he wouldn’t know anyone in heaven. And then I remembered that Mr. Rogers was there, and it was my turn to feel calmed and reassured by the knowledge that Matthew would again be in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. KATHLEEN B. GABERSON
Forest Hills
Regarding the issue of congressional district maps: The public understands that gerrymandering is done by both parties. As long as you have politicians defining the districts that elect politicians, you will have bias.
The latest by the Republicans was so egregious that the court had to do something. Instead of whining all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Legislature should see it for what it is. If the legislators really served the people, they would change the Pennsylvania Constitution to have an independent, nonpartisan panel draw the districts based on established norms and models.
Of course most politicians don’t serve the people, but rather, mostly themselves and their party. TOM GEORGE Bethel Park