Donald Trump has said he will consider a proposal to arm school teachers in an attempt to prevent mass shootings, a move certain to prove fiercely divisive.
The US President, holding a listening session at the White House with survivors of last week’s Florida School shooting said,” It only works when you have people very adept at using firearms, of which you have many. It would be teachers and coaches.”
Trump added, “An attack has lasted, on average, about three minutes. It takes five to eight minutes for responders, for the police to come in, so the attack is over. If you had a teacher who was adept at firearms, they could very well end the attack very quickly.”
During the meeting Trump also stated that he would be “very strong” on background checks for gun buyers and mental health issues. He sat in the middle listening attentively as six survivors of last week’s shooting and bereaved parents from Parkland, Columbine, and Sandy Hook took turns to address him.