Too Much Publicity

Guns+are+not+permitted+to+be+carried+on+campus+by+unlicensed+persons+on+Feb.+27+at+Argyle+High+School.+%28Sarah+Crowder%2FThe+Talon+News%29

©The Talon News | Sarah Crowder

Guns are not permitted to be carried on campus by unlicensed persons on Feb. 27 at Argyle High School. (Sarah Crowder/The Talon News)

Sarah Crowder, Reporter

For the past few years, and recently after the shooting in Parkland, Florida, Argyle High School has gotten a mass of national media coverage, from news outlets like the L. A. Times and NBC due to trained teachers being permitted to carry on campus.

This much coverage and attention can possibly be dangerous for students and staff.

With this much attention being pointed towards the school district, there is potential for someone to want to “test” this policy. The name and location of our school being plastered across the news during discussions of gun control makes us very vulnerable and could even lead to an attempted attack. Students, teachers, and community members could also be harassed online or in person about this policy due to the fact that many people strongly disagree with this practice. 

Those in favor of this policy believe that it’s a good thing to have it be publicized as a way to show a possible solution for other schools, but this can be done without having the school be the face of this movement. Many other schools, especially in Texas, are employing armed teachers as a way to combat school shootings, but none of the other schools are under a microscope like Argyle.

Having the school’s name broadcast across the nation when talking about gun control can be very risky. Our name should not be put in the media as much as it is, even if we continue talking about our policy.

 

©The Talon News | Sarah Crowder
A sign informs visitors that “staff at Argyle ISD are armed.” Feb. 27, 2018,  Argyle High School. (Sarah Crowder/The Talon News)