Jones Calls Arming Teachers ‘Dumbest Idea I’ve Ever Heard’
Responding to Alabama legislator’s call to give teachers guns to prevent school violence
Alabama Sen. Doug Jones criticized the idea of arming teachers as numerous state legislatures weigh measures to prevent violence in schools after the shooting at a Florida high school.
“I think that’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard. I think it’s crazy,” Jones said.
The Alabama senator said it would be a major cost to arm and train teachers to prevent violence.
“You’re going to have to train those teachers,” the Alabama Democrat said in an interview with WKRG. “You don’t need to arm America in order to stop this, you just need to be smart about it.”
Jones’ remarks come after the school shooting in Florida killed 17 people and Alabama state Rep. Will Ainsworth filed legislation that would arm teachers.
Jones, who pulled off a stunning victory in Alabama’s special election, is an avid hunter who talked about hunting for deer and turkey while on the campaign trail last year.
The calls in Alabama mirror similar efforts by Republicans in states like Kentucky and North Carolina.
