U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks at the Republican National Convention. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Sen. Rand Paul said on Thursday that teachers and principals should carry concealed weapons in the classroom to prevent another mass shooting from happening.
“Is it perfect? No. Would they always get the killer? No. Would an accident sometimes happen in a melee? Maybe,” the Kentucky Republican told a group of business leaders in Oldham County, Ky., according to the Courier-Journal. “But nobody [at Sandy Hook Elementary] had any defense, and he just kept shooting until he was tired and he decided to shoot himself.”
The National Rifle Association pushed the idea of arming teachers after the Dec. 14 shooting in Newtown, Conn., and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, both Republicans, have also embraced the idea. The leaders of the nation's two largest teachers' unions have rejected the suggestion, calling it "disturbing." Newtown School Superintendent Janet Robinson told a House hearing on gun violence on Wednesday that calls to arm teachers are "insensitive," and that teachers inexperienced in carrying weapons could be a threat to children.
Paul also said he planned to introduce legislation to counter President Barack Obama's executive actions addressing gun violence. They include directing the Centers for Disease Control to study its causes and forcing federal agencies to share more information with the background check system that is used before gun purchases.