This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The merits of teachers carrying a gun in their classroom are open for debate again, with a panel last week at Stein Erickson Lodge addressing the issue.

Just because there is this absurd law in Utah that allows a teacher to carry a concealed weapon into school, one of only 18 states with this law, does not make it a good idea. Our teachers have enough responsibility teaching our children, they should not have the added burden of training for and providing security. Perhaps a better solution for schools that feel the need for armed personnel would be to hire a well-trained security guard. A teacher carrying a gun in a classroom is an accident waiting to happen.

Paul and Sandy Krueger

Salt Lake City