PHOENIX — An Arizona sheriff has announced plans to deploy an armed volunteer posse to protect Phoenix-area students in the wake of the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio tells KTVK-TV (http://bit.ly/WMVRwn) he has the authority to mobilize private citizens to fight crime but hasn't talked to specific districts.
He says he doesn't plan to put posse members inside schools but will have them posted around the perimeters.
Arpaio is known as one of the nation's most high-profile supporters of strict U.S.-Mexico border policy.
His plan announced Thursday comes after two other Arizona officials released ideas for boosting school security.
Attorney General Tom Horne proposed firearms training for one person in each school. And Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu proposed training multiple educators per school to carry guns.
Slabside posted at 3:07 pm on Fri, Dec 28, 2012.
This makes much more sense than the progressive liberal knee jerk reaction of regulating honest law abiding civilian firearms.
Now wait for the Arpaio bashers and hoplophobes to scream from the rooftops.
Arizona Willie posted at 4:05 pm on Fri, Dec 28, 2012.
That'll last about 6 weeks, or until the first posse member accidentally fires his weapon while playing around with it out of boredom.
TempeTownToilet posted at 4:37 pm on Fri, Dec 28, 2012.
I certainly think school employees and teachers should be allowed to carry guns.
That's a Second Amendment rights.
But in this case with Sheriff Joe, it's not about the protecting the children.
With Sheriff Joe, it's all about feeding Sheriff Joe's ego.
mikedurham posted at 7:25 pm on Fri, Dec 28, 2012.
Triple T, I agree with your bottom line. Az Willie, I agree with you, too. Slabside, it does make sense. An organized militia with resources and a command structure ... uh, sounds Constitutional ... as far as implementation goes, once Montgomery tries to prosecute a judge, 500 elementary school kids could be in deep trouble ... however, it's better than the NRA echo from Babeu and Horne.
I live in Mesa posted at 7:52 pm on Fri, Dec 28, 2012.
Really? Good idea? Just think, a few years ago if this idea had come up J.T. Ready would have been one of the people volunteering. Arpaio would have welcomed him with open arms. Can you see him now inbetween Arpaio and Pearce vowing to get the manpower needed? Would you have wanted him "protecting" your children?
Masterrogue666 posted at 9:17 pm on Fri, Dec 28, 2012.
Having officers "posted around the perimeters" may work. It would depend upon location. However, if posted too far away, it wouldn't work. There's no "quick answer" IMHO. However, more "gun control" isn't it. You need "people control", and since this is a land of freedom, that's not going to work either.
soricobob posted at 6:47 am on Sat, Dec 29, 2012.
As a teacher my questions involve liability: that is, who pays for the wounded or dead? The Sheriff who suggested/trained/supported this idea, the Volunteers who were trained and went to the defense of children; the District who allowed these volunteers on it's property; the Principal, who permitted such actions; the teacher, who pointed out a perp?
wdgnas posted at 7:50 am on Sat, Dec 29, 2012.
more grandstanding from the grandstander in chief.