Guns in Iowa Schools Threaten Safety
#NoMoreIowaProud
“The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”—Wayne LaPierre, former CEO of the National Rifle Association
Iowa lawmakers followed this philosophy when they passed a law allowing school employees to carry loaded guns at work (HF 2586). Lawmakers offered the bill as a “school safety” measure in the wake of the January 2024 Perry High School shooting. There, a student killed one classmate and wounded five others.
On HR 2586, several decidedly unsafe scenarios come to mind.
A gun discharges accidentally, killing or wounding anyone in the bullet’s path. Guns discharge for a few reasons, including user inexperience and improper storage. Any gunshot—even an accidental one—can kill.
Children caught in the crossfire of a shootout between a school employee and a shooter. Even with mandatory firearms training, a teacher could miss the mark in a frantic moment. Flying bullets don’t care who they hit.
A student disarms a school employee and shoots up the school. That student could continue killing until the ammunition runs out.
A student disarms a school employee and tries to kill themself. Suicide ranks second in Iowa deaths, ages 10 – 24. This scenario increases the probability of suicide by gunshot.
Someone steals a gun without the owner’s knowledge. That gun could then be sold or used in a criminal act.
What will Iowa lawmakers say when one of these scenarios plays out? Will they offer their clichéd, useless “thoughts and prayers” for the victims? Probably. Will they reconsider the “wisdom” of the law? Probably not. Did they even ask educators or parents for their input? Again, probably not. Iowa lawmakers believe they know the best course of action in all matters. No need to consult with those Iowans whose lives this law directly impacts.
Oh, yes, school districts may opt out of the program. But consider those districts that allow employees to carry guns at school. If only one teacher carries a gun, every person on that school campus must live with that decision. They won’t have the luxury of deciding for themselves.
I doubt many school employees will choose to bring a gun into their workplace. They are educators, not police officers. And teachers are not the bad guys here. Rather, Iowa lawmakers once again cooked up an ill-informed “solution” that nobody asked for.
Do you think HF 2586 makes Iowa schools safer? Find out how your state senator and representative voted. Then hold those lawmakers accountable by voting in the November elections.