Should kids be able to take guns to school?

[Bono]

From a certain age, obviouslyIt would require taking a gunn safety course and a mental stability test.

[Platypus]

Of course not. Guns shopuldn't be allowed in any public place unless you're the police, imho.

[2952-0-0]

No. They're kids.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

No. Of course not.

[angus]

absolutely not.  school is neither a democracy nor a free-for-all. it's a place for children to learn about culture, art, history, mathematics, science (including Darwin's theory of natural selection), and languages.  children are not fully citizens, and we live in a sue-happy society.  I'm okay with public schools dispensing condoms and allowing for student smoking areas, but sending your kid to school armed is asking for trouble. 

[Alcon]

If I don't have full speech rights, it makes sense that I don't have gun rights. I would not feel comfortable at school ever again if kids were allowed to bring guns.

[Wakie]

Is anyone really mentally stable at the age of 13?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

This would make guns considered less dangerous than porn magazines, unless kids are now allowed to bring porn magazines to school and buy them. Isn't that a little silly?

[angus]

porn's okay too.  yes, what you suggest would be silly.

[Richard]

6 year old?  No.

17 year old? Yes.

[TheBulldog]

Why would you need guns at school?  I am at school right now, and if someone brought a revolver to school or something, even for self defense, I would never come to this school again.  Ever.

[Bono]

I mean like high school kids, not elementary school. BTW, I agree with BRTD in the porn subject. but anyways, I think guns would help weaker kids not being so scared in scholl, terrified of the bullies.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The solution to bullying is not to have shootouts in school halls. Plus anyone can go insane when they crack under stress.

[Bono]

The solution to bullying is not to have shootouts in school halls. Plus anyone can go insane when they crack under stress.

That allready happened. Do you think Columbine would have been such a massacre if, I don't say all, but a quarter of the people there had a gun?

[David S]

It would depend on how old they are. 18 year olds maybe. Younger than that and I'd say no. Yeah a sanity test, might be a better indicator of an individuals maturity, but who wants the government giving us sanity tests. 18 is the age requirement to vote and to drink in many states. Lets leave it there for guns.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

well those guys were basically going on a suicide spree so yeah. We'd have a LOT more school shootings if this were allowed. This is even more ridiculous than the suggestion that we just do away with metal detectors and let anyone who wants take a gun on a plane.

[angus]

... let anyone who wants take a gun on a plane.

in particular, let the pilot and crew!

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Why would you need guns at school?

If you went to my high school, you'd understand why.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

I voted "depends". Usually the answer would be no, because you can't take a gun in lots of places. But if a student is protecting themselves against bullies, they should not be penalized.

Also, if a school shooting is committed by a student who is being harassed at school, they should have an absolute legal defense.

[Gabu]

No.  If kids in high school are treated as if they aren't mature enough to smoke, drink alcohol, or even vote, does it really make sense to allow them to bring guns to school?  I don't see why this would cure bullying, given that the bullies would probably be the first to exercise their new right to bring guns to school and that the timid students who get bullied would likely be the last (extremely angry students such as Harris and Klebold notwithstanding).  Either way, if we need to kill people to solve bullying, we're in bad shape, folks.

[John Dibble]

Also, if a school shooting is committed by a student who is being harassed at school, they should have an absolute legal defense.

Simple harassment is not enough to warrant a shooting. Only physical threat to one's person is sufficient to warrant physical damage done.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Simple harassment is not enough to warrant a shooting. Only physical threat to one's person is sufficient to warrant physical damage done.

If some rich kid at school pushes me out of a second-story window, I consider that more than just a physical threat.

[Smash255]

This has got to be one of the most absurd polls i have seen.  OF COURSE NOT

[J. J.]

My permanent record from high school lists me as a member of Shotgunner's Club."

Ah, they are permanent records.  ;-)

[John Dibble]

Simple harassment is not enough to warrant a shooting. Only physical threat to one's person is sufficient to warrant physical damage done.

If some rich kid at school pushes me out of a second-story window, I consider that more than just a physical threat.

Pushing you out a window exceeds harassment.