Just hours after the nation paused in silence and a bell tolled for every person lost in that deadly Newtown shooting, the National Rifle Association sparked a fiery debate.
"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. I call on Congress today to act immediately, to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every single school," said NRA CEO & Executive Vice President, Wayne Lapierre.
Gun enthusiasts in Fresno are all for it.
“I think it's a good Idea. I think it needs to go farther than that. I think it would be a good idea if not only armed guards, but also the teachers,” said Sharon Mayfield with Gilmay Guns.
Veteran Jesse E. Lozano said, “I would volunteer. I think it's a good idea. Maybe this would stop all those crimes. Somehow, I think this would help.”
Those against the idea say more guns aren't the answer to the tragedy. National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel said, "I don't believe the only way to stop violence by guns, is to give the other person a gun."
Democratic lawmakers acknowledge armed police could be a piece to the solution. They say that must also include gun control and mental health care.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal said, "The NRA statement today is sadly and shamefully inadequate."
A number of valley district officials say they already have strong security in place. Fresno Unified explained in a statement that reads in part, "Each of our high schools has campus assistants as well as School Resource Officers contracted through the Fresno Police Department. We also have a district Safety Office that works closely with the Fresno Police Department and Fresno County Sheriff's Office."
Each of their officers on campus is armed. Clovis Unified also has a police officer at each of its secondary schools. Parents we spoke with say every little thing helps.
“Anything that could help stop crime or anything around the schools would help. Any kind of help would be good,” said Fresno resident, April Paleo.
The National Rifle Association is offering to fund emergency response training in schools, but top educators say that is only part of the solution. More than 400,000 Americans have already signed online petitions calling for gun control.
TXT 24
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