Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Into the Void with John Miller

Showdown At Midfield

Legislation has been proposed to allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry firearms on school grounds. This in spite of an existing law prohibiting weapons on campus.

Where the legislator in question got this brilliant idea we'll never know, but think of the possibilities. Teachers could pack iron either in a shoulder holster or on their hip, as could administrators, bus drivers and janitors during the regular school day.

Parent conferences would have a whole new meaning as mom and dad could come armed to dispute the behavior of their precious little darling, who never causes any trouble, but is always being blamed for it.

In fact anyone off the streets who has a permit could just walk into a school with their weapon hidden.

Teachers, though, wouldn't be allowed to keep their handgun in a briefcase or purse. It would be too easy for the weapon to be stolen and, besides, they couldn't get to it quickly enough in case of a showdown. Of course all disputes could be settled the old fashioned way, with a showdown.

Imagine, if you will, a parent disagreeing with a teacher over their child's grades. The teacher is called out for a duel, with the combatants and their seconds (if done the really old fashioned way) at the 50-yard line on the football field at a specified time. The required 10 paces are stepped off, the duelists turn and fire, both finding their mark killing one another.

Duels would make it extremely difficult to get anyone in the teaching profession, and it's hard enough to find teachers in Arkansas now.

Granted this is an extreme situation, one we hope would never occur. However, allowing firearms on campus would lead to some tense situations at school and make learning and teaching more difficult than it already is.

No, instead of proposing legislation to allow concealed weapons in schools, perhaps the people should contact their representatives and have someone propose a bill requiring legislators take a drug test before the session convenes.

To even suggest, let alone propose a bill to have any kind of weapon on school grounds, the legislator must either be a heavy drinker, on drugs or just plain stupid.

In fact it would be a good idea to call your representatives and state senators letting them know this bill is an offense to the people of Arkansas and our children, and they should vote it down if it makes it to a vote.