Okay, so I would like to start out that I am all for freedom of speech and others sharing their opinions. I’m also for allowing responsible gun owners to continue to own their guns. Most of all, though, I am for gun control.

I try not to dabble in political talk all that often, mostly because I am uneducated in many of those aspects, but after 17 lives were lost in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida on February 14, I know that something needs to change. These kids need to be recognized and heard, and I'm going to use my voice and platform to do it.

While the obvious choice is just to create stricter gun regulations, as many of the victims of the shooting are suggesting, along with banning access to semi-automatic assault weapons (which makes absolutely no sense for anyone to have access to in their home regardless) and more intensive psychological evaluations for those purchasing guns, of course, there are other options being presented.

One of the options being considered is arming teachers in their classrooms.

I won’t get into too much of the logistics of why this plan likely just wouldn’t work. On top of the expenses for the training and arming of all teachers, the psychological impact of having to shoot someone else--sometimes your own student or a former student--could be extremely damaging.

As a former secondary education student, if a gun were thrust into my hands and I was told to defend my students’ lives by killing another person, I’m unsure if I would be able to do so. If any innocent lives were lost under my protection, especially my students, I don’t know how I would go on. Many of the teachers I know and personally love agree with this stance.

Teachers don’t need guns in the classroom, but do you know what they do need? Keep reading to find out:

1. Markers, chalk, & pencils.

It seems like all the writing utensils in the classroom just seem to disappear, don’t they? Teachers could use a lifetime supply of markers, chalk, pens, and pencils, honestly, more than anything else...or for their kids to start giving them back. Either, or.

2. A good attitude.

You’ll find me talking about this a lot in most of my articles, but a little positivity can go a long way--especially for teachers! With how much crap they have to put up with on a daily basis, I think they could use a good and positive attitude more than just about anybody else in this world.

3. A classroom budget.

Did you know that most of the things that were in your classrooms growing up were most likely bought personally by the teacher? Sorry--not just by them, but with their money. Teachers are total rockstars. Pay them more, or at least compensate them for the money they put into making their classroom look A+.

4. A coffee machine.

Do you know how early teachers have to be up in the morning just to go and deal with kids all day? Too early. They need Keurigs and coffee more than they need weaponry.

5. Hand sanitizer & tissues.

Because germs are disgusting, and who’s most likely to get sick after the entire class comes down with a virus? The teacher, that’s who!

6. Fun-sized candy bars.

For rewards for review games or classroom achievements, if a student wants it! ...Or, you know, for after those long days on the teacher’s part, too. Whatever works!

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Am I saying that guns in the hands of good people can’t be useful if the situation of a shooter were to arise? Of course not. But there’s no denying that we should not be putting that type of pressure onto a teacher, who may not want that pressure on them in the first place. Other solutions can be put into place, as I mentioned before: stricter and more sensible gun laws, a ban on assault weapons, trained and armed security guards (who volunteer, and are paid for, said job) placed within schools, more affordable mental health care for those that need it. There are so many other steps that we need to be taking rather than getting our teachers, who did not sign up for this when they decided to go into education, fighting violence with even more violence.

Gun control isn’t a matter of taking away anyone’s second amendment rights. It isn’t a matter of making it so that you are unable to keep your guns that you use safely. It’s a matter of making a maximum effort to keep guns out of the hands of those that will use them to hurt others and that are mentally unstable. It’s not just about our rights anymore; it’s about saving innocent lives.

If you’re interested in getting involved in the movement for gun control, visit the

March for Our Lives website to learn more about standing alongside the victims of Parkland in the upcoming gun control march on March 24, and consider signing the petition and donating to the cause.