Sheriff Richard Jones of Butler Country, Ohio, has already begun the process of training local teachers in firearm proficiency, he wrote on Twitter this week. Jones framed the announcement as local action against the backdrop of government inaction.
“Our teachers start training Monday in firearms ccw. While our gov still debates what 2 do we will have trained over 100 school personnel by Saturday,” Butler wrote yesterday.
Our teachers start training Monday in firearms ccw. While our gov still debates what 2 do we will have trained over 100 school personnel by Saturday.
— Richard K. Jones (@butlersheriff) February 23, 2018
President Trump has made training and arming teachers a cornerstone of his administration’s response to increased gun and school violence, including the deadly Parkland High School shooting that claimed seventeen lives last week.
“History shows that a school shooting lasts, on average, 3 minutes. It takes police & first responders approximately 5 to 8 minutes to get to site of crime. Highly trained, gun adept, teachers/coaches would solve the problem instantly, before police arrive. GREAT DETERRENT!” the President wrote on Twitter this week.
Along with a ban on the gun accessories known as bump stocks, the White House has indicated that it favors legislation that would shore up the country’s background check-system. The FixNICS Act would incentivize states and federal agencies to keep the National Instant Criminal Background Check System updated with the latest information about individuals who should be prevented from purchasing firearms.
Sheriff Jones announced that the training would be free and would be available to any school employees of Butler County who wish to avail themselves of it. Jones said that his offer has been met with an overwhelming response. On Tuesday he announced that the class had to be cut off at 300 responses and that his department would be announcing class and times soon.