Caitlin McNamara

I’m Caitlin (Cait) McNamara, and I am a senior at UMD College Park, Shady Grove Campus. I am currently a communication major, and am interested in working for Make A Wish, or make life, easier, and as enjoyable as possible for those with cancer. I have strong opinions and beliefs, but I’m still open-minded enough to take the other side of the argument into consideration.

I’ve written a few papers and done several presentations on the awful shootings involving schools and kids/teens over the past 16 years; including the shootings at Columbine, Virginia Tech, and the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson. After doing endless hours of research, and watching/listening to the most disturbing videos and images of the aftermath, I became very interested in the uprise of school shootings, and the best way to stop them. Of all the solutions to putting an end to these shootings, I do not believe that giving teachers guns is one of them.

There are several reasons I believe giving teachers guns won’t help, and is a down-right terrible idea. First, children are like stealth operatives and always find a way to get their hands on everything. For example, they always seems to find hidden Christmas, Hanukkah, and birthday presents, no matter how great the hiding place is. If one of the kids got their hands on the gun, there’s no telling how many people would be killed or injured. Second, if I was in elementary school and knew my teacher had a gun in the room, I would be terrified (especially with the teachers I went to school with). Also, unless there’s a multi-day, incredibly intense training program, then some to most of these teachers and classrooms are more dangerous with a gun then without.

I have a friend, named “Farrah,” and she is a 2nd grade teacher in Silver Spring. She’s a very sweet, smart, and patient person, but she lacks common sense. When I first heard about the idea of arming teachers, I immediately thought about Farrah, and worried for the safety of Silver Spring’s youth. Farrah is the prime example why teachers should NOT carry a gun for a couple reasons. First, she has no business being around guns because she doesn’t “understand” gun safety; which is a nice way of saying she would be the first person to point it at someone while trying to get a feel for it, or look down the barrel of a gun (which I’ve actually seen her do). Secondly, if she did need to use it, she would most likely shoot herself in the foot (literally) and even some children; not because of poor aim, but because she would “spaz out,” and just start firing. So anytime I think about arming our teachers, I think of Farrah and others like her, and see how much more harm could be done!

Guns aren't for everyone
Guns aren’t for everyone

Russell T Kocher

Hello all! Let me introduce myself, my name is Russell Kocher born and raised in Montgomery County and I’m no stranger to Washington DC. I’m currently attending USG to obtain a degree in communications. When I was in high school I found my passion for video and TV production. From the moment I started writing the morning announcements and sketches that introduced them, I loved it. Along with storyboarding, using the camera and editing. I was always behind the scenes making sure everything was running smoothly. That is why I chose to major in communications, hone my skills in that field of work. In my spare time I like to snowboard in the winter, surf in the summer, and skate in the fall and spring.

Intro to Group 2 Blog

As of this time, group 2 is arguing against the use of firearms in schools by teachers and professors. One primary reason is that police are designated to protect in serve, not teachers and professors. As academic leaders of society, educations shouldn’t have to worry about defending themselves in crisis situations. The allowance for teachers and professors to have access and use of firearms at anytime is seemingly unnerving. Having more guns in the school also allows students the higher chance of handling the weapon if misplaced or not lucked up appropriately. This is group 2’s current stance on the issue of gun control in relevance to teacher and professor possession.

Daniel A. Zevallos

Well… first things first, welcome everyone. My name is Daniel Zevallos, and Im suppose to tell you a little bit about my self! so here we go. I was born in Santiago, Chile. Most of my life I lived in a small town called Santacruz, which is about three hours from the capital. My parents decided to move into the states in 2003, right after I turned 11 years old. Moving here was much more than just learning a new language, and adopting a new culture. It was, and still is about a better future. Reaching dreams and goals that would have never been possible otherwise. Around the age of 17 I found a hidden talent for film and photography, a talent that later on became a passion. A passion that brought me a new perception of the world, but most importantly a new form of expression. Film has aloud me to stand out from millions of voices around the word.

Being a college student requires you to be exposed to a world of knowledge that perhaps you have never experienced before. Students experience academic discussions among peers about the latest topics of interest. From politics to technological advances and much more. One of those topics that are hard to discuss include Gun control. I was particularly never drawn into this topic until taking a crisis management class. I remember very clearly having to do a case study on the Columbine school massacre, which took place in 1999. Exploring this case was a eye opener into the issue of gun control, specially its relationship with school professionals and the academic world. Does America need more gun control legislature, or should our nation move into a more liberal defensive stand on this issue? Well lets find out!