Will arming teachers make schools safer? This commentary says no. Meghan Phadke, Brian D. Schultz, and Amity Noltemeyer review evidence and find no empirical support that guns carried by teachers deter or stop attacks; in fact, research on armed officers shows no reduction in harm during school shootings. Many states now allow some guns in schools, with 30 permitting non–law enforcement staff to carry, and new laws such as Ohio’s HB 99 have cut training to as little as 24 hours, far below law enforcement standards. Teachers, school leaders, students, and even law enforcement organizations largely oppose arming educators, citing safety, training, and misidentification risks during crises.

So, are guns allowed in schools? Policies vary, but widespread permission for armed staff is growing despite incidents of mishandled firearms on campuses. To prevent school violence and improve school safety, the authors urge investing in proven supports like counselors, nurses, school psychologists, and social workers, and strengthening school climate rather than “hardening” schools. Today, millions of students attend schools with police but without essential mental health staff. The paper also warns that arming teachers is likely to harm Black and Brown students disproportionately, given persistent racial bias in school discipline and threat perception.

Faculty authors: Meghan Phadke, Brian D. Schultz, Amity Noltemeyer, Miami University
Keywords: arming teachers, are guns allowed in schools, prevent school violence, how to improve school safety, prevention for school shootings, school resource officers, Ohio HB 99, racial bias in schools, Miami University research
Publication details: Educational Studies (2024). “Arming Teachers: Who Will Bear the Burden?” https://doi.org/10.1080/00131946.2024.2308696