Florida shooting: Trump says armed teachers could prevent attacks

The US President was speaking to survivors and students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at the White House on Wednesday when he proposed his theory.

"If you had a teacher who was adept at firearms, they could very well end the attack very quickly," Trump said.

"Where a teacher would have a concealed gun on them," he said, "they would go for special training and they would be there, and you would no longer have a gun-free zone," Trump said acknowledging that the plan was controversial.

Donald Trump also promised stronger background checks on gun buyers.

"We'll be very strong on background checks, very strong emphasis on the mental health of somebody," he told the students.

Trump's theory has brought in polarised opinions.

While many attending the President's programme supported his proposal, others have strongly condemned it.

"School teachers have more than enough responsibilities right now, than to have to have the awesome responsibility of lethal force to take a life," BBC quoted Mark Barden as saying.

Barden's son Daniel was killed in the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

Another parent, who lost his daughter in the Florida shooting said that he was pissed.

"We, as a country, failed our children," he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Mental health over gun-control

Last week the US President managed to anger a large section of the society after he chose to stress on mental health over gun-control while condoling the victims following the tragedy.

"So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again," he tweeted.

This prompted angry reactions from other users.

"What about the fact that a 19 year old kid had access to semi automatic weapons? Why is that not being discussed?" tweeted Rhiannon.

Another user, Tori Ann asked Trump why a 19-year old, who was mentally ill, allowed to purchase an assault rifle.

"If he was known to be “mentally disturbed” and a troubled youth that people took notice of then how was he able to legally purchase an assault rifle? What reason does a 19 year old have to warrant this type of weapon?" she said.

Meighan McGuire asked the US President what time is a good time to discuss gun control.

"When is a good time to talk about gun control? Now. #WeNeedGunControlNow," the user tweeted.

Hypocrisy

Trump citing mental illness as the prime reason for the 19-year old going rogue and killing 17 people is baffling and hypocritical.

Last year, his government signed a bill, which relaxed gun purchase in the US. The bill he scrapped was drafted by his predecessor Barack Obama, which made it harder for people with mental disease to buy guns.

Additionally, his latest budget proposal is set to bid adieu to Medicaid, the major source of federal funding for treating mental health problems, and cut school safety programs by more than a third.

Before he tossed his hat into the ring as US Presidential candidate, Trump had expressed his interest in having tighter gun control, but did a U-turn following his candidature. The gesture earned him $30 million in support of his campaign from National Rifle Association, who unabashedly advocates the purchase of gun in the US.

 

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