Their first try at “Position 2” during dry fire Saturday morning. Image by J. Schwarm courtesy GSL Defense Training / Guns Save Life
Gadsden County, Florida is a Democrat-run, Hillary Clinton-loving, minority majority community in Florida’s rural panhandle…and has decided to follow common sense and arm their teachers.
To put things in perspective, Gadsden County last voted for a Republican in 1972 for Richard Nixon. In 1984, they were the only county in the state to vote against Ronald Reagan and again in 1988 against George H.W. Bush.
Courtesy – Wikipedia
You would think that with Gadsden County being such a Democrat hotbed that they’d follow the party line and oppose arming teachers in the county’s schools. Apparently the Gadsden County School board really does believe in their mission statement — putting children first.
Courtesy – Gadsden County School Board
Richard Corcoran, former Speaker of the House and current Florida Department of Education Commissioner gave a statement to WTXL News of Tallahassee.
“Florida’s students and parents have rightfully demanded increased security measures, and this is another example of education leaders responding to the call. There are cowards who prey on our schools, and with each new district who takes advantage of this opportunity to safeguard their students, the State of Florida is sending a message that we are united in protecting our state’s future generations,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran.
Currently, 33 of Florida’s 67 counties have joined and decided to give teachers the ability to protect their students should the worst happen. And there is word that another 15 are interested.
Teachers who wish to participate in the state’s Guardian Program have to pass a drug test, undergo a psychological evaluation, take part in random drug testing, complete a minimum of 12 hours of diversity training, and go through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s criminal justice standards and training commission firearm qualification course. That includes range time, use of force training, instruction in Florida self-defense laws and, of course, firearms inspection and additional annual qualifications once approved.
As an area resident who lives right on the border of Gadsden County, they get a big thumbs up from this Floridian.
