Ducey tells Trump teachers don’t need guns, they need trained protection
Feb 27, 2018, 9:22 AM | Updated: 9:28 am
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — School safety should be achieved without arming teachers, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey told President Donald Trump in a meeting this week in Washington, D.C.
Ducey, attending the National Governors Association winter meetings, said he didn’t want to see teachers taking on law enforcement duties.
“I want teachers teaching, and I want there to be that resource officer. If there is a teacher with a special exception — they’re a veteran, or former law enforcement, or they’re trained, and there’s that opportunity — I would be open-minded to that,” Ducey said in a story posted Sunday at Politico.
Ducey added he was “looking for the law enforcement officer in that function separate from teaching, so teachers can focus on teaching and have that relationship with the kids, as well.”
Thanks to @POTUS @VP and all @WhiteHouse team & Cabinet Secretaries @SecAzar @SeemaCMS @SecretaryAcosta for small group breakouts and hosting all @NatlGovsAssoc for best ideas on school safety, opioids, workforce, healthcare, and prison reform. pic.twitter.com/lfnRK2oP2t
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) February 26, 2018
Ducey, a Republican, and the other governors met with the president and Vice President Mike Pence at the White House. Trump welcomed the state leaders Sunday and began talking about the deadly Florida school shooting. Authorities said the gunman used a semi-automatic rifle.
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“We have to have action,” Trump told the governors.
“We don’t have any action. It happens, a week goes by, let’s keep talking. Then another week goes by, we keep talking.
“Two months ago by and everybody is off to the next thing. …
“We can’t have this go on.”
Ducey agreed but wasn’t alone in his reluctance to put weapons in classrooms for teachers.
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, also Republican, said, “… at first blush, I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”
U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said he was working on a bill that would raise the age limit to 21 to buy an AR-15.
