Dear Editor,

I want to voice my concerns regarding House Bill 1177, the teacher handgun training. Teachers are responsible for 25 to 150 students during the school day. Their job is to teach and support students where needed educationally. Teachers inspire our nation’s youth to achieve more than they think they can. Teachers cannot be responsible for carrying concealed firearms as they teach ABC’s and 123’s to our children.

Protecting our children must be the priority! Filling the halls with firearms will increase accidental gun injuries, homicides and suicides. Armed teachers will not breed confidence; it will create fear and increase the risk of harm for everyone in the school.

The government is required to create systems that increase citizens’ health and safety. The government must put in place fundamental safeguards to improve our children’s safety; if not, it will cost them their lives. Please oppose Bill 1177 before there are more senseless deaths.

Concerned mother and wife,

Abby Phagan Snider