Oregon teacher fights to take gun to class

[Turbinesaint]

A brief anecdote. Before moving to PA, I worked as a teacher for 8 years in California (deep in gang territory) and Nevada. The CA school did have an officer at the school and it was pretty safe on a day to day basis. We did have an incident where about 100 kids decided to have it out during lunch. We had to lockdown the school because of a threat of a driveby soon after. This past school year, in NV, a student told his class that on the last day of school he's coming in here and "shooting every fucker I see." A fellow teacher and I both brought guns to school the next day (and left them in the car) even though we both knew our jobs were in jeopardy. All people have the right to feel safe, at work, at home, etc.; which includes those people who (wrongfully) have a fear of any firearm. A school should be a safehaven for children to learn, have fun and feel safe; however, the public employees have a right to feel confident they will make it home to their own families and children at the end of the day. If she has a permit to carry concealed and it remains that way, then it's nobody's business but hers and the issuing authorities. If she is conscientious about concealment, then it will be a moot point because nobody should be able to tell she is carrying. I support her right, but having worked in a school (liberal, liberal, liberal environment) I understand there are many, many teachers who would oppose.

[Mtbkski]

Got a nice reply from the Attorney. He said he would forward the e-mail to her. I guess that a Oregon Gun Chapter is backing her and paying all of her legal bills. Way to go.

[NineseveN]

Originally Posted by Mtbkski

Got a nice reply from the Attorney. He said he would forward the e-mail to her. I guess that a Oregon Gun Chapter is backing her and paying all of her legal bills. Way to go.

http://www.oregonfirearms.org/

Though the Second Amendment Foundation has been using the suit to generate support by attributing their name to the suit, they contributed $500 and left it at that, my understanding is the suit is being paid for by the Oregon Firearms Owners group.

[Mtbkski]

I was wondering if this is the kind of thing that PAFOA would want to send a small contribution to the defense fund for. Just asking. Sounds like something that could have a big impact all over the U.S. of A.

[Mtbkski]

http://www.oregonfirearms.org/

Hey, they have a pretty nice shirt.

[zsu]

a hwy is no place for a car,because a car could get in
a wreck and hurt or kill someone.
get real the odds are far greater you will get in that
wreck than in the sit.where you may discharge a weapon
in a school.[in repley to dan 77 pg.1]

[Mtbkski]

[Mtbkski]

Has anyone heard any more on this case? I was wondering how things were going for her.

[KeithPA]

She lost. I thought I saw it on this site. I'll try and find it.

http://www.pafoa.org/forum/general-2...un-school.html

Here is some crazy logic this judge found to make this ruling.
A school policy over rides a state law

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/tea...329571734.html

Teacher not allowed gun in school
November 11, 2007

A US judge ruled today that school officials can forbid a teacher from carrying a gun on school grounds.

Shirley Katz sued the Medford School District in Oregon, arguing that its policy against firearms violates a state law that allows people with concealed weapons permits to carry guns into public buildings.

The high school English teacher said she had a right to carry a handgun, as a defence against intruders or her former husband.

But Circuit Court Judge Philip Arnold ruled that the Legislature has forbidden local governments from passing ordinances - local laws - to regulate firearms. He says an ordinance is different from a school employment policy, so state law does not prohibit the district's policy.

Katz, who has a concealed weapons permit, filed a lawsuit challenging the school policy. The South Medford High School Teacher says she wanted to carry her 9mm Glock automatic pistol to class because she feared an attack by a Columbine-style intruder or her former husband.

"On any given day, we would be naive to not acknowledge there are guns in schools," Katz has said. "I am just the first one with a concealed-carry permit" to come out in public.

Katz's demand for the right to carry her pistol onto school grounds appears to be rare. School security consultant Ken Trump, president of National School Safety and Security Services in Cleveland, Ohio, has said he had never heard of a similar case while working in 45 states.

Katz has said she bought her pistol in 2004 and took training classes after her husband at the time, Gerry Katz, grabbed her by the throat and threatened to kill her - an allegation he denies. They have since been divorced and share custody of their six-year-old daughter. A restraining order she had against him has expired and not been renewed.

Shirley Katz will not say whether she has ever brought her gun to school, but has said she feels that in light of school shootings around the country, students and staff would be safer if properly trained teachers were armed.

[Dan77]

Originally Posted by zsu

a hwy is no place for a car,because a car could get in
a wreck and hurt or kill someone.
get real the odds are far greater you will get in that
wreck than in the sit.where you may discharge a weapon
in a school.[in repley to dan 77 pg.1]

Can't argue with that logic.