On October 1, 1997, a gunman killed two students at Pearl High School in Pearl, MS. Ass't. Principal Joel Myrick retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and detained the gunman, saving countless lives.
As evidenced by recent events, teachers & students are vulnerable to violence. Unfortunately, not every school has armed security. Moreover, while the Gun Free School Zones Act (GFSZA) exempts persons with state-issued firearm licenses from federal prosecution if they bring guns to school, the act does not prevent states from enacting tougher measures.
Teachers are the last line of defense. As such, the GFSZA should be amended to allow teachers to carry firearms at school, to immunize them from all liability if they act with ordinary care, and to preempt all state laws to the contrary.