Teacher stood firm, disarmed pupil

As a former physical education teacher (retired in 2000), I have been following the debates concerning the shooting tragedies in schools.

In my 33 years years of teaching in the elementary level K-5, only once had either of my schools in both Fort Lauderdale and in Hollywood, experienced potential danger.

An incorrigible teenage boy from a middle school had the audacity to enter the outside hallways of our campus openly carrying a weapon. I felt compelled to confront him.

Luckily, two noteworthy things of interest happened:

• The student was carrying a BB gun (not an automatic) and he was unwilling to give it up.

• Luckily, in the tussle that ensued, I was slightly stronger than he.

Subsequently, after much wrestling, the gun was given back to the principal. The young man was told that if he wanted it back, he would have to bring a parent along with him after hours.

My strong opinion is that there should never be a weapon or gun in a classroom setting for fear that a teacher, male or female, could be overpowered. This could eliminate a potential blood bath.

Teachers should be allowed to teach their profession and not have to be concerned about weaponry in the classroom.

When a particular “code” is blared over the intercom, they should be well-rehearsed about the plethora of safety measures that should have already been implemented.

Tom Keith, Hollywood