Congress should "appropriate whatever is necessary" to put armed police officers in every school in the United States, the executive vice president of the National Rifle Association told reporters in Washington on Friday.
"If we truly treasure our kids more than our money, more than our celebrities ... we must give them the greatest level of protection possible – ... properly trained, armed good guys," Wayne LaPierre said.
LaPierre, whose comments come in the wake of last week's shooting that killed 20 children and six women at a Connecticut elementary school, said the media demonizes gun owners, but that guns in the hands of "good guys" are desired by everyone in the moments they find themselves in danger.
LaPierre said former U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson, R-Arkansas, will lead an NRA effort to help schools develop safety programs.
Given federal spending in areas such as foreign affairs, "can't we afford to put a police officer in every single school?" LaPierre asked.
There were at least 132,180 public and private schools in the United States in the 2009-2010 school year, according to U.S. Department of Education.
"For all the noise and anger directed at us ... nobody has addressed the most important, pressing and immediate question we face: How do we protect our children right now ... in a way that we know works?" LaPierre said.
He said media outlets report "untrue" claims about firearms. "They don't know what they are talking about," he said.
LaPierre did not appear to signal that the NRA was willing to consider any of the various gun control proposals floated since the Connecticut shooting.
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Put more armed people in every school to protect our children = 132,180 additional market for Guns and finally an inroad to educate our kids how important Gun is. Way to go NRA I'm sure your partner we love that.
Gosh maybe you are all right.
You should all go to Mexico or North Korea where all guns are banned, or chicago or michigan.
Thats what you want right? Lord know its woking for them!
Let the Government take care of you thats what the get paid for right?
No wait theres already laws to prevent this sort of thing, right? I suppose the problem is the criminal doesnt seem to be bound by laws, so we'll need to punish someone, hmmm, I know lets punish the millions of law abiding citizens, thats gonna help right?? Lets blame the NRA, yeah thats the ticket.
Lets just become totally dependent on the government, Freedom is after all over rated.
Armed cops? OK. But how will we pay for it? I know, tax guns and ammunition.
I am a firm believer of the best defense for crazies is to be armed. But after doing a quick calculation here, if we pay each officer a dismal salary of $25000 a year, we would be paying $3.5 Billion a year to do this. Can we come up with something that deters criminals without this cost. I personally prefer a 1 time cost of putting a gun safe in every classroom. We do not need to necessarily put a gun in every safe. We could have just a couple of teachers trained and ready. But as far as criminals know that classroom there is a chance the classroom they enter will be shooting back.
As a society, we are so messed up. Americans are violent and addicted to guns. Mass killings will continue because we allow so many guns on the street. What next? Arm everyone? Great solution. Not.
Agree @Norman.
The NRA and its "meaningful contributions" are the problem.
So there are to be no sensible gun laws and tax payers would be asked to shell out more which they do not have to pay for more guns.
Yeah, let's solve the problem with more guns! How original. Should we put a cop in every movie theater too? The only way to solve this is from all angles. I am a former marine and a former police officer. My opinion is there if no reason for citizens to own assault weapons period. If you want to collect assault weapons get a collectors license. You don't need an assault weapon for personal protection. Improve physical security in schools. Train teachers and kids for emergencies. Sandy Hook already had these measures in place from what I have heard and they did the best they could. Regulate the purchase of all firearms more with more psychological/medical screening. Throw criminals who use firearms to commit crimes in jail and throw away the key!
Thank you, Phillip, for saying exactly what needed to be said. I support the reasonable right to have guns, but ordinary citizens do not need assault rifles.
Be careful putting common sense in a comment section, someone might agree with you. I agree, a multi-pronged approach, with everything on the table is what needs to be done.
This cannot be the Philip who usually posts here; he is neither a former Marine, nor a former police officer.
For the most part, however, I agree with this Philip.
There is no reason for civilians to have assault weapons. Period.
I soley agree with you Philip!!! Are "we" americans so barbaric that we should go back to days of the past....
Next thing you know we will have Armored Shield Drills for children...
Honestly guns are not the real problem... Gun Control is the real issue... As a parent, I would not feel comfortable knowing that my kid's teacher was "packing" a gun... Nor imagine my Pastor armed for battle... There has to be a meeting of the minds... I feel that there are workable solutions that can be achieved by everyone in regards to weapons carriers. Legislature can come up with Federal Regulations regarding School Safety.
Schools are supposed to be a safe haven... Guns in our schools, churches, etc... sends out the wrong message!!
I don't agree with this, however, IF this is the decided upon solution, I would say that gun owners should be levied an extra tax on all of their guns and gun activities in order to pay for these armed guards. You guys want police in schools, you guys pay for 'em, because the need for these police is because of irresponsible gun ownership, such as Adam Lanza's mother allowing access to her weapons to her mentally unsound adult child.
Dear N R A, If you'r truely committed to this anwser, then put up the money to pay for it. Maybe your not aware of this, but most of the school system's in this country do not have the fund's, my state included (Mi). Or once again we could take programs, course's, books, and supplies away from them. I say "PUT UP OR SHUT UP N.R.A."
Bob – go watch the full event, or read the entire transcript before making dumb comments.
So what happens when an armed teacher "snaps" and uses the gun to harm? I love the way the NRA assumes that people can't go crazy and snap. Look at work place shootings. Even stable people can lose it. I don't want guns in my kids' schools period. No matter who is "trained" to use them. Go away NRA. America doesn't want or need your greedy opinions and I hope our elected officials will care about what AMERICA wants for once instead of your blood money.
You'd be afraid of a cop snapping? Man, you are one paranoid person.
You, Norman are a moron. It shows you are not looking to solve the problem, rather exploit dead kids to promote your worthless agenda.
I cant believe that anyone is opposed to having police protecting their children at school. Obviously some folks care more about "winning" the gun control argument than they do about actually saving lives.
The NRA and its "meaningful contributions" are the problem.
So there are to be no sensible gun laws and tax payers would be asked to shell out more which they do not have to pay for more guns.
I tend to agree with @Norman
No bias here CNN. This is a serious news story and your cover photo is of the protester? You guys are a joke!
Education is needed first – people keep referring to "assault weapons" and military weapons in crimes with "high capacity clips" (it is a magazine not a clip). How can you have a valid argument if you do not even know what you are arguing about? Search for "What Is An "Assault Rifle"? – You've Probably Been Lied To" on Y o u tu b e for an education from a law enforcement officer.