Student Militia

There has been enthusiasm lately for greater numbers of guns in school and other places where large numbers of people gather, and are at risk for being slaughtered. The rationale: teachers are going to be in school anyway, and so should have guns to return fire. Proposals for trained security guards are sometimes entertained, but generally dismissed for reasons of cost.

A problem arises because the firearm competence of teachers is left to chance - the teachers are not trained security guards. Some schools may be fortunate to have one or more staff interested and competent to serve in this role but many may not. Teachers are also less than ideal in this role in that they may be disinterested in carrying guns or oppose their presence in schools for political or other reasons.

Consider now that there are many more students than teachers in any school. Students are in their formative years and are there to learn. Some may be interested in keeping order. I propose that each school at risk for violence train a subset of suitable and interested students to be the student militia. This would be like a school sanctioned (or government sanctioned in regions where local school politics might interfere) student club, or perhaps ROTC. Students would get militia training generally and specifically in the use of force and weapons. Training would be as appropriate for age and size. This skillset and the discipline which comes with it will also be valuable in later life. This too would cost money but can be covered by funds intended for education, which this is. The weapons themselves can be donated by manufacturers and other interested parties.

Benefits 1. Free! The students are already there.

2. If citizens are expected to help keep order, we need to learn how. Start young.

3. Persons uninterested or untrained in the use of guns would not be expected to carry one or know what to do with it.