Thread: Aggressive Plan Calls for Children to Rush Armed Intruders

"Rage against the dying of the light"
Leave it to Texas :lol:

That has always been my plan. Hard to believe we have to think about this.

As for me, I don't think that I could be legislated into action. Policy can be drafted and set into place, but I could only go by instinct when, and if, a situation came to be.

Also, when one is in such a situation, each individual must access the situation and weigh their options.

This reminds me of the guy who lost his job in recent years after apprehending a robber while at work at a convenience store for violating their policy. :roll:

Making this kind of agression a policy may have unintended consequences. In a successful attempt to overpower an intruder, children and teacher will be hailed as heroes. If someone gets hurt, there will be lawsuits filed by parents and others, and the local taxpayers will ultimately bear the burden (Don't assume insurance will cover this).

I have no problem with taking action as long as there is an almost certain chance for success; what I question is the details in how such an action would be carried out. I seriously doubt that kids would spontaneously rush an intruder, so it's up to the teacher, whose judgment in such matters I am supposed to trust. I don't think so. I trust them to teach fractions or Chaucer but unless they are former Special Forces operatives or have a background in SWAT, their qualifications are suspect.

I like my idea better:

"Martin Luther's 95 Theses..."
BAM!BAM!
"....were a response to the Church's practice of selling indulgences. Chris, would you go get a custodian with a mop? Now, class, pay attention...."

LOL!!!

I am a former special forces soldier and I wonder if I would have the hutspah to storm an armed intruder, let alone summon the godless hordes to follow me into combat.

I suspect that what someone said earlier (Bananas?) is right. Instinct would take over. I have always been taught (and trained) to defend those who cannot do it for themselves.

Some years ago, we had a lockdown drill at my school, one that we practice for the time (hopefully never) that we have an intruder. The thing was, that day...no one had told me this was a "drill." Yep. Same school, same problem, same cause. Glad I am out of there.

But I digress....

When the alarm (code word) came, I herded my 6th graders into a corner of the room, darkened the room (as per instruction), blocked the door with our book cubbies, and then sat behind the cubbies, a meter stick in one hand with full intent of making someone eat splinters if they dared enter the room unwanted....particularly if they came with malice on their mind. As I said, I have always been taught to defend the defenseless, no matter what.

Keep in mind...I thought this thing was for real;d no one had told me it was "practice."

Ah, the perils of being in a "leaderless" school. But again, I digress...

Several minutes passed. We heard nothing more. I thought I heard movement in the hallway outside my door. I scooted up against the cubbies, to conceal my presence but I think the old ticker was pounding loud enough for anyone to know I was there.

The door creaked open...

Here came that "instinct" thing.... I rocked back on my heels, raised the meter stick...and nearly cold cocked our resource officer and assistant principal as they came in the doorway.

I caught myself in mid swing and nearly lost my balance. I was regarded with a curious state, the kind that asks:

"What's with you? Why are you acting this way?"

I just stared back, slack jawed.

Didn't I know this was just a drill, I was asked. I shook my head. The kids had watched the whole thing in rapt silence but broke into uproarius laughter when they understood what had almost happened....

When we had a lockdown drill recently, I herded my kids into the corner and took up a post just beside the door. One asked me why I was standing there, while everyone else was in the floor. I shook my head, and said nothing. My intention would be to fight, but its better not to make such intentions obvious. But I find it irritating to fight without weapons- anywhere else except the place I work I can meet any threat with fire and steel. Nothing in any of the rooms I teach in would even make a good improvised weapon- a broken yardstick for a spear, perhaps. As it is, I have only these hands- and I've not been in a fight in more than 15 years- so I might not win. At least I'll go down fighting- that's better than begging for mercy.

I also resent not being allowed to exercise my rights to defend myself and others as I see fit. Allowing teachers to be armed and able would sure cut down on the students and others playing around with firearms at school. How many intruders would enter a school if they knew the employees there would kill them on the spot?

I am prepared to defend myself that way at home and elsewhere, so why not at school? Otherwise, I have nothing else with which to defend those under my care. Sitting in a dark room under desks wont do much.

I was having a conversation with some students recently about what we would do if someone came in. All the guys (9th grade) agreed they would have to fight, even if I told them not to (which I wouldnt do). I am proud that they feel this instinct. We got too many wimps in our society today!

In general, I would prefer having armed teachers instead of hoping that unarmed students and teachers would rush an armed intruder.

I think this is a potential recipe for a disaster.

If an armed intruder appeared in the school library, some students and teachers would cringe and hide. Others would nerve themselves up for an assault. If there was an assault, it would probably be sporadic instead of an huge concerted rush.

I am fairly certain that this rush would end with the gruesome deaths of those persons who were leading the charge.

Civilians are simply not trained in combat. The erupting spray of blood and gore would more than likely deter the others.

I cannot even begin to imagine the school liability for having promoted the idea of rushing an armed assailant.

Originally Posted by David Chin

According to Mr. Browne, "Five or six seventh-grade kids and a 95-pound art teacher can basically challenge, bring down and immobilize a 200-pound man with a gun."

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That is bull!!! How sick that Browne thinks turning kids into classroom Xenas will solve the problem of violent attacks in the school.