# The NRA's response to Sandy Hook - An armed policemen in every. single. school. in the US. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 21, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754 "2012-12-21T16:44:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/101 "2012-12-22T15:52:43Z")
Interesting to me that the NRA feels so strongly about protecting access to guns (2nd Amendment rights) and yet want to: (1) blame the media, and thus restrict violence in games and TV and movies (thus violating 1st Amendment rights); and (2) maintain a registry, to control and limit anyone who has ever had any sort of mental problem (violating almost every other Amendment rights) Those are obviously better solutions than just making it harder to obtain certain types of weapons? … Also seems to me that there are some types of weapons that are outlawed. I presume even the NRA doesn’t want individuals to own nuclear weapons (even though I would only use small nuclear devices for hunting rabbits). So, it’s only a question of where the line is drawn, n’est-ce pas? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/102 "2012-12-22T16:41:24Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > (2) maintain a registry, to control and limit anyone who has ever had any sort of mental problem (violating almost every other Amendment rights) Plus I suspect it’s not so that we can seek out to provide good mental health to everyone who needs it. I wonder what happens under this scheme at Mr. God-fearing All-American Gun Owner’s home when his girl gets diagnosed as High Function Spectrum, or the Missus need meds for PPD. Like someone else mentioned upthread - the disconnect between this and the refusal to contemplate registering every gun ownership is just lovely. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/103 "2012-12-22T16:55:00Z")
What will Mr. God-Fearing All-American do when someone tells him that HE needs psychological consultation? Lose your temper in traffic? Burst into tears at work? Someone sees you walking around in the cold weather without a coat on? You’re crazy! Call in the white coats. Will Mr. God-Fearing politely turn over his weapons until he is deemed fit? Or will he buck and scream about his rights being trampled? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/104 "2012-12-22T17:14:26Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > Interesting to me that the NRA feels so strongly about protecting access to guns (2nd Amendment rights) and yet want to: > (1) blame the media, and thus restrict violence in games and TV and movies (thus violating 1st Amendment rights); and > (2) maintain a registry, to control and limit anyone who has ever had any sort of mental problem (violating almost every other Amendment rights) I only skimmed the text of the press release, but they actual call for legislation to limit violent video games, or was it just a “shame on the entertainment industry” discussion? Also, can you elaborate on the registry thing: what they are specifically calling for and how that specifically violates any of the rights outlined in the constitution? Not saying I know you’re wrong on either of these things, just would like some cites to back up the claims being made. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/105 "2012-12-22T17:17:13Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > I thought my second post about the 200% sales tax would also deter some of that. cranking it up that much and machine shops will replace meth labs. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/106 "2012-12-22T17:59:43Z")
A substantive USA-wide mental health program would cost untold billions, and right now the party controlling the House of Representatives refuses to countenance raising taxes by a nickel on _people making a million dollars a year._ ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/107 "2012-12-22T18:05:50Z")
I still find it mind-boggling that people are taking this ludicrous idea/plan to put an armed policeman in every school seriously. This is insane. And if these clowns push through this assbackward law, you know it is only a matter of time until the George Zimmerman they hire at minimum wage becomes the legally armed idiot who shoots up the school because he didn’t like what a kid said to him, or didn’t like his Christmas bonus, or didn’t like working double shifts or whatever. Oh wait, then the NRA will say what we really needed was TWO armed police on every shift - one to watch over the other to make sure he doesn’t kill everyone else. Please people, stop even debating this ridiculous bullshit the NRA is trying to use to deflect the debate on the real issue of GUN CONTROL. This is trick number one in any debate class - throw your opponent off base by throwing out a ridiculous red herring to discuss instead of the real issue. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/108 "2012-12-22T19:54:56Z")
[Security guards in school: Kids feel less safe, unclear effect on crime](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/12/21/security-guards-in-school-scared-students-unclear-effect-on-crime/). Tidbits: One-third of schools already have armed guards. It would cost $2.5 billion to arm the remaining schools. A figure which assumes the guards are paid the same as police officers. But why should they get paid the same as police officers? Unless they are working at Eastside High, they are going to be spending 99% of their time sitting in the lobby, listening to the kindergarteners sing the ABC song over and over and over again. (OK, maybe they do deserve a decent salary.) Some research shows that guards make kids (white kids, interestingly) uncomfortable. Guards may negatively effect the learning environment. Columbine had an armed security guard on the day of the shooting. I wonder if that guy (or woman) was given a hard time for not being the big hero everyone imagines they would be if they had been there with a gun. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/109 "2012-12-22T22:06:48Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Also, can you elaborate on the registry thing: what they are specifically calling for and how that specifically violates any of the rights outlined in the constitution? > > Not saying I know you’re wrong on either of these things, just would like some cites to back up the claims being made. In re the Crazy People Registry (and Online Dating Service) - Here’s a transcript with video of La Pierre’s remarks: [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/remarks-from-the-nra-press-conference-on-sandy-hook-school-shooting-delivered-on-dec-21-2012-transcript/2012/12/21/bd1841fe-4b88-11e2-a6a6-aabac85e8036\_story\_1.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/remarks-from-the-nra-press-conference-on-sandy-hook-school-shooting-delivered-on-dec-21-2012-transcript/2012/12/21/bd1841fe-4b88-11e2-a6a6-aabac85e8036_story_1.html) Here’s the quote - emphasis mine - with some preceding remarks for context, from page two of the transcript: > [@](#): > > LAPIERRE: The truth is, that our society is populated by an unknown number of genuine monsters. People that are so deranged, so evil, so possessed by voices and driven by demons, that no sane person can every possibly comprehend them. They walk among us every single day, and does anybody really believe that the next Adam Lanza isn’t planning his attack on a school, he’s already identified at this very moment? > > LAPIERRE: How many more copycats are waiting in the wings for their moment of fame from a national media machine that rewards them with wall-to-wall attention and a sense of identity that they crave, while provoking others to try to make their mark. > > A dozen more killers, a hundred more? **How can we possibly even guess how many, given our nation’s refusal to create an active national database of the mentally ill?** The fact is this: That wouldn’t even begin to address the much larger, more lethal criminal class – killers, robbers, rapists, gang members who have spread like cancer in every community across our nation. The remarks were part of his general “shifting of the blame” portion of his speech. It’s not clear if he thinks such a database has been proposed and was voted down or what. I have no doubt if you asked him, he’d say it was a good idea, but I doubt he has any specific plan in mind in mind other than boosting gun sales. The only specific action for which he called was that congress hurry up and spend a whole bunch of money on hiring cops. > [@](#): > > I call on Congress today, to act immediately to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every single school in this nation. And, to do it now to make sure that blanket safety is in place when our kids return to school in January. > > Before Congress reconvenes, before we engage in any lengthy debate over legislation, regulation, or anything else, as soon as our kids return to school after the holiday break, we need to have every single school in America immediately deploy a protection program proven to work and by that I mean armed security. Nothing like a little government money to spread that holiday cheer. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/110 "2012-12-22T22:46:23Z")
Thanks. Now **Dex** just need to demonstrate that this would not be constitutional. n.b.: I don’t agree with this guy, but let’s keep to a factual analysis. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/111 "2012-12-22T23:35:57Z")
Well, apparently here’s the deal about the “refusal” to create a national registry of mentally ill people: it falls under states rights. Many states DO report data to the Feds, but they can’t be forced to. And each state has different standards. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/12/21/the-nra-wants-an-active-mental-illness-database-thirty-eight-states-have-that-now/](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/12/21/the-nra-wants-an-active-mental-illness-database-thirty-eight-states-have-that-now/) > [@](#): > > Creating a national database, Nichols says, would be a difficult task to pull off, and not just because of the “nation’s refusal” that LaPierre cited. > The federal government does not have the constitutional authority to require state agencies to report data. The most it can do is offer funding — or withhold dollars — in an attempt to entice states to participate, just as they did with the law after the Virginia Tech shooting. ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/112 "2012-12-22T23:57:49Z")
Does he have any idea how many would have their guns taken away because they would be diagnosed with from paranoid delusions, sexual inadequacies and messiah complexes? I’m not saying that all gun owners are twisted but a not insignificant number are fearful of the boogie man hiding in the closet. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/113 "2012-12-23T00:47:24Z")
How many would that be? Not seeing where he’s calling for anyone to have their guns taken away, certainly not someone with “sexual inadequacy”. The guy is kind of a nut. No need to make up stuff about him to make his seem nuttier. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/114 "2012-12-23T00:53:37Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > How many would that be? Not seeing where he’s calling for anyone to have their guns taken away… It is an interesting question. Suppose they actually created a national “crazy people” registry. Would the NRA support banning gun sales to anyone on the list? Didn’t the NRA also fight background check requirements for gun sales? Do they oppose closing the background check loophole allowing nearly unlimited sales at gun shows? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/115 "2012-12-23T01:11:52Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > How many would that be? Not seeing where he’s calling for anyone to have their guns taken away, certainly not someone with “sexual inadequacy”. What good is a Registry of The Crazy if there’s no some gun-taking involved? If you are in the Registry, does this mean you’re automatically disallowed from buying a gun? If so, doesn’t it follow that you should have to turn over the guns you already own as well? And that the people you live with do something with _their_ guns? If there are no regulatory teeth to the Registry, then it’s pretty pointless. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/116 "2012-12-23T01:12:41Z")
I don’t like the mental illness data base idea. Several problems arise. What would constitute a mental illness severe enough to warrant a data base entry? Depression, PTSD, PPD, autism, schizophrenia, OCD, ADHD??? What would be the limit? I was hospitalized for 5 days for PPD and was on Effexor for 2 years. Am I too mentally unstable to buy a gun? Who’s right is it to determine that I am? It seems a huge infringement of personal rights, which is it surprising that the NRA is supporting this since I am sure many of their members would be too mentally ill to own or purchase guns. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/117 "2012-12-23T01:38:28Z")
The guns used in Connecticut weren’t owned by the shooter; they were his mother’s. Banning sales to only people on a mental illness ain’t gonna do shit. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/118 "2012-12-23T14:16:37Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > The guns used in Connecticut weren’t owned by the shooter; they were his mother’s. Banning sales to only people on a mental illness ain’t gonna do shit. Maybe they should ban mothers? Not only would mentally ill sons not have access to guns, It would probably cut down on a lot of mental illness as well. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/119 "2012-12-23T18:10:42Z")
I like the way you think, msmith! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754/120 "2012-12-23T18:36:13Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Maybe they should ban mothers? Not only would mentally ill sons not have access to guns, It would probably cut down on a lot of mental illness as well. The Big Therapy industry’s going to fight that tooth and nail. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-response-to-sandy-hook-an-armed-policemen-in-every-single-school-in-the-us/644754.md?page=7)