Makes me shudder | The Salt Lake Tribune

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The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary has finally shaken up most of us to the realization of what our president simply stated: "We must change." So I am dumbfounded at the responses by some on both sides.

It is common sense to act now to stop the free flow of combat-style weapons in this country. Not for this generation; that genie is out of the bottle. Today's actions will not bear results for years.

But if we do not act now, the quantity and firepower of weaponry on our streets decades from now will surely make today's Bushmaster firearms look tame.

The gun-rights advocates want to arm everyone — teachers, principals, guards — while the National Education Association opposes all guns in schools. It's reasonable to consider armed school police officers because they go through extensive screening and training.

But arming the rest (teachers, principals) is just asking for trouble (think George Zimmerman). Here in Utah, we just trained 200 teachers to carry concealed weapons. Anyone who thinks arming self-selected enforcers after less than a day of generic training is a good idea needs to think hard.

Just imagining some of my junior high instructors packing in the halls makes me shudder.

Mark Petersen

Park City