The Edjurist - Information on School and Educational Law

Sort of a shocking story out of Oregon yesterday:

MEDFORD, Ore. - High school English teacher
Shirley Katz insists she needs to take her pistol to work because she
fears her ex-husband could show up and try to harm her. She’s also
worried about a Columbine-style attack.
But
Katz’s district has barred teachers from bringing guns to school, so
she is challenging the ban as unlawful, since Oregon is among states
that allow people with a permit to carry concealed weapons into public
buildings.
“This
is primarily about my Second Amendment right and Oregon law and the
simple fact that I know it is my right to carry that gun,” said Katz,
44, ...

I almost don't even know where to begin with this. For one, she cites the Second Amendment in support of her claim. Really? After Garcetti, teachers in the employment of a public school barely have First Amendment rights! That is a pretty ridiculous argument. There are so many reasons why the government would have a compelling interest in limiting her Second Amendment right to bear arms that I am not even going to get into them all.

Next, if we say schools are a safe environment for kids (and we do), why is she worried about her ex-husband somehow breaking into the school and bullying her. What is that saying to the parents of the community? This school is so unsafe that I need my own personal weapon to protect me ... but please, continue sending your children.

Finally, I have to seriously question the fitness to teach of any individual who would want to bring a gun into school. What is the purpose of a gun in this situation if not to kill people? The gun she intends to carry is pictured and if she ever brought that to school, as a principal or superintendent I would immediately fire her.