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Firearm Found Inside Mpls. School Staff Member’s Locker

Mycroft

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A staff member who was worried about safety after the tragedy in Connecticut brought her own loaded gun to an elementary school on Wednesday.

It happened at Seward Montessori in south Minneapolis.

Police were called after the staff member told a teacher, who then told the principal.

“It’s unnerving to have that type of call come in when your children are there, and you hope they’re safe,” said Jeanette Wiedemeier-Bower.

Wiemeier-Bower’s 10-year-old son, and 13-year-old daughter attend Seward Montesorri. When she got a call from the school saying a loaded gun had been found, she was shocked and scared.

“I broke down,” she aid. “I had a little mini-breakdown at my work and then I pulled it together. The message said don’t come, everything is fine. So I knew they were okay.”

Police say a staff member in her late 50s brought a .357 magnum revolver into the school. It was loaded with five rounds. She put it in a locker in a faculty lounge and told a teacher. That teacher then told school officials, who alerted police.

read more at: Firearm Found Inside Mpls. School Staff Member’s Locker « CBS Minnesota

The way I see it, this staff member made two mistakes:

1. She violated school policy regarding guns on campus.

While I don't condone her action, I can understand the fear that made her do this.

2. She told a teacher she had a gun.

If she would have kept silent, nobody would have known the gun was there...until some 20 year old nutjob came into the school with evil intent. Then she might be considered a hero.


On the other hand, that mother who had a "little mini-breakdown" really needs to get a grip on life.
 
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I give her props for wanting to FULLY guard the kids shes sees everyday. But... I dunno. I dunno what to say. I want people to follow the laws. But I also want people to have a semi-decent chance at stopping a bat**** crazy gunman.

I think we need to allow teachers and school workers to apply for concealed weapons permits and allow the 2nd amendment to trump "The Safety Zone" seeing as children are in their guard. That way the kids never even have to know about the gun. How can a teacher be a child's temporary guardian yet not have the ability to defend their lives? This isn't a true guardian. This is a legal pseudo guardian that puts kids in danger. If I decide to have kids they will be home schooled until teachers are allowed to practice the 2nd and truly guard them.
 
Or.......
You could lend a little bit of perspective on life:
HowIsraelAvoidsSchoolShootings.jpg
 
The way I see it, this staff member made two mistakes:

1. She violated school policy regarding guns on campus.

While I don't condone her action, I can understand the fear that made her do this.

2. She told a teacher she had a gun.

If she would have kept silent, nobody would have known the gun was there...until some 20 year old nutjob came into the school with evil intent. Then she might be considered a hero.


On the other hand, that mother who had a "little mini-breakdown" really needs to get a grip on life.

Either gun owners hang onto the narrative that they are law abiding citizens, that no one needs to fear for them being armed, or they can support actions like this. You can't have it both ways were you talk about stopping criminals, while you are currently breaking the law. Now I get it that her crime is far far from a murder or a shooting, but it is still illegal what she did.
 
Either gun owners hang onto the narrative that they are law abiding citizens, that no one needs to fear for them being armed, or they can support actions like this. You can't have it both ways were you talk about stopping criminals, while you are currently breaking the law. Now I get it that her crime is far far from a murder or a shooting, but it is still illegal what she did.

I don't ask that it be both ways...just as I'm not judging the lady. I simply pointed out her mistakes...as I see them.

In truth, I would rather she worked in a system that allowed trained, qualified people to keep guns at school.
 
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She is a criminal who broke the law with a firearm.
She is an idiot for telling anyone, sounds like bragging or attention seeking. Real heroes don't tell everyone they are 'ready'.
Don't know if she could get back to the locker and retrieve her firearm if a shooting occurred, just as likely to be gunned down in the hall going to the breakroom.

When we have an ongoing armed suppression of Canada and Mexico that has rockets and suicide bombers attacking us in droves I'd take a hard look at what Israel does. Course we'd also have the majority of our civilian population as a reserve force rotating to active duty from time to time far in excess of our National Guard and far more detrimental to our economy.

What I'd like to see is the more 'guns' in schools crowd become armed teachers and put a little bit of their-self behind their convictions.

Convictions are easy when you expect others to fulfill them. :roll:
 
She is a criminal who broke the law with a firearm.
She is an idiot for telling anyone, sounds like bragging or attention seeking. Real heroes don't tell everyone they are 'ready'.
Don't know if she could get back to the locker and retrieve her firearm if a shooting occurred, just as likely to be gunned down in the hall going to the breakroom.

When we have an ongoing armed suppression of Canada and Mexico that has rockets and suicide bombers attacking us in droves I'd take a hard look at what Israel does. Course we'd also have the majority of our civilian population as a reserve force rotating to active duty from time to time far in excess of our National Guard and far more detrimental to our economy.

What I'd like to see is the more 'guns' in schools crowd become armed teachers and put a little bit of their-self behind their convictions.

Convictions are easy when you expect others to fulfill them. :roll:

Odds are she told the teacher thinking the teacher would like to know in case something happened. It may shock you, but people who own guns do sometimes do things with good intentions too. And they cannot put their money where their mouth is because the "progressives" are afraid of change.
 
1. She is a criminal who broke the law with a firearm.
She is an idiot for telling anyone, sounds like bragging or attention seeking. Real heroes don't tell everyone they are 'ready'.

2. Don't know if she could get back to the locker and retrieve her firearm if a shooting occurred, just as likely to be gunned down in the hall going to the breakroom.

3. When we have an ongoing armed suppression of Canada and Mexico that has rockets and suicide bombers attacking us in droves I'd take a hard look at what Israel does. Course we'd also have the majority of our civilian population as a reserve force rotating to active duty from time to time far in excess of our National Guard and far more detrimental to our economy.

4. What I'd like to see is the more 'guns' in schools crowd become armed teachers and put a little bit of their-self behind their convictions.

Convictions are easy when you expect others to fulfill them. :roll:

1. Essentially the same thing I said in my OP...though I didn't use such harsh wording.

2. On the other hand, she just might be able to get to her gun and save a number of lives. Also, if she wasn't the only teacher or staff armed and ready, the nutjob's chances are dramatically reduced.

3. To hear those taking advantage of the recent nutjobs, we have our own version of terrorist out to get us.

4. I've already proven my conviction by spending a great part of my life in the U.S. Army. That started when I voluntarily enlisted at age 17. But, you know, there is no shortage of educators and staff with the same sort of conviction...one of whom I know personally. He's my son who is currently pursuing his music ed degree. He's also comfortable with the use of firearms since I introduced them to him when he was 7 years old. I don't think he would have a problem conducting his orchestra while armed and I'm certain he would do what's necessary to protect children against a nutjob. He's a good shot.
 
Just sayin'. I dont think all teachers should be forced to carry a weapon. This alone could lead to danger (the government should NEVER force someone to carry a gun. This may lead to spite and guess what?... they now have a gun). But if a teacher is comfortable with having one I say that's A-OK by me. Sorta how parents in America are now. If you are comfy with guns you might/probably have one. If you hate them then you don't.
 
Or.......
You could lend a little bit of perspective on life:
View attachment 67139684

I love that picture. There is one glaring difference though between what Israel does and what we can do. She has most likely been through military training for two years. I have no idea what percent of American Women teachers serve in the military, however I am sure it is not as high as Israel. Most Israeli civilians serve in their military.
 
Or.......
You could lend a little bit of perspective on life:
View attachment 67139684

Cool, but wouldn't a .40 "Baby Eagle" or an Uzi have been easier to carry? Both are from Israeli companies. Or she could go American made and get a nice 1911 based .45 or .38.

It's a good beginning, but long guns are just too unwieldy in close environments. Not to mention the rounds usually travel through people and can hit people behind your chosen target.
 
The culture, and gun culture, in Israel and the United States is so widely different its not even comparable.

What are the differences? Do you really know what the culture and "gun" culture of Israel is like?

Israel is surrounded by approximately a billion people that want to kill them. Palestinians refuse to recognize their right to exist and make peace with them. Instead they launch dumb rockets at them regularly and sponsor all kinds of terrorist attacks into the country.

We don't have to face that kind of outside threat. So, while I don't know the specifics, I can appreciate that their culture would have a different attitude towards guns than the average American.

I have pointed out before, when most American families were required to own arms, could be assumed to be armed and there were little to no restriction on where you could carry you gun, America had a very low murder rate. We know that more guns in legal hands and reasonable self defense laws can and has prevented violent crime.

We also know that guns will not disappear in America anytime soon or if ever.

We also know that Armed Citizens are the final line of defense of the Country. This holds true whether there is currently a realistic threat or not. Considering how some want to cut defense, can we say absolutely that that final line will not be needed in the future? No.

Like any other issue we cannot point to a single cause nor will any action taken that address only one of the pertinent issues will actually fix the problem. We can ban the sale of "assault" rifles, but millions of them still exist in private hands. How long would such a ban have to last before it had a significant affect and reduce the numbers already in our society? We know that violent crime tends to concentrate in certain areas and with certain segments of our society.

Instead of tracking how much crime is committed with legally owned weapons vs those that are illegally obtained, our government is attempting to attack all gun owners. Why don't we try a maximum effort to remove illegal guns from our society before we start attacking and changing the rights of legal owners? Some are using the actions of a very small minority to attack the rights of the majority.

So taking all of this into account, how do you think we can change our society to better control violence in our society? That should be the goal, shouldn't it?
 
The way I see it, this staff member made two mistakes:

1. She violated school policy regarding guns on campus.

While I don't condone her action, I can understand the fear that made her do this.

2. She told a teacher she had a gun.

If she would have kept silent, nobody would have known the gun was there...until some 20 year old nutjob came into the school with evil intent. Then she might be considered a hero.

On the other hand, that mother who had a "little mini-breakdown" really needs to get a grip on life.

Ya' know what sticks out to me in this story? Not that she brought a gun with her to school. I'd bet in gun-rich states (unlike Illinois), there's more than a few teachers who have guns in their lockers or cars at school.

It's the fact that she told someone she had it. That, in and of itself, showed poor judgment on her part.
 
Odds are she told the teacher thinking the teacher would like to know in case something happened. It may shock you, but people who own guns do sometimes do things with good intentions too. And they cannot put their money where their mouth is because the "progressives" are afraid of change.

It is amusing to hear a 'conservative' accuse a Progressive of fearing change! :lol:

I'd LOVE to see the 'conservatives' quit brow beating the Teacher's Union and work together for viable security upgrades. Many options are available, but few are cheap. I wouldn't have a problem with teachers VOLUNTARILY seeking a rather high standard of training to carry in the classroom, CCW training just isn't extensive enough for the classroom environment in my opinion. That of course would be a hit and miss, hodge podge of 'security'.

Someone once said the road to Hell was paved with good intentions. As a firearm owner and former grunt I can tell you your weapon can't be left, outside the home, out of what we called physical security- your reach. She would have gotten an Article 15 for that at the very least if it was the Army of my day. Bad juju anyway you slice it.

I have to wonder if this employee did infact tell the teacher about the weapon to make sure someone else would be able to get to it if it was needed and the employee went down if she knew the teacher was familiar with how a revolver works and if this teacher could hit the broad side of a barn with it. The long trigger pull of a double action revolver is why I 'cheat' and thumb the hammer back before pulling the trigger.

I also wonder just how well the employee knew this teacher if the teacher turned around and reported the employee... :shock:

Not very close and if not close why would you entrust deadly force in them?

Just seems a bit hinky to me...
 
1. Essentially the same thing I said in my OP...though I didn't use such harsh wording.

2. On the other hand, she just might be able to get to her gun and save a number of lives. Also, if she wasn't the only teacher or staff armed and ready, the nutjob's chances are dramatically reduced.

3. To hear those taking advantage of the recent nutjobs, we have our own version of terrorist out to get us.

4. I've already proven my conviction by spending a great part of my life in the U.S. Army. That started when I voluntarily enlisted at age 17. But, you know, there is no shortage of educators and staff with the same sort of conviction...one of whom I know personally. He's my son who is currently pursuing his music ed degree. He's also comfortable with the use of firearms since I introduced them to him when he was 7 years old. I don't think he would have a problem conducting his orchestra while armed and I'm certain he would do what's necessary to protect children against a nutjob. He's a good shot.

I'd say that like you my conviction was facing out at foreign enemies, not defending the halls of a school. I'd love to see the 'gun' bearers switch careers and become educators or part-time protectors inside the schools. if you want more 'guns' in schools be one.
 
Just sayin'. I dont think all teachers should be forced to carry a weapon. This alone could lead to danger (the government should NEVER force someone to carry a gun. This may lead to spite and guess what?... they now have a gun). But if a teacher is comfortable with having one I say that's A-OK by me. Sorta how parents in America are now. If you are comfy with guns you might/probably have one. If you hate them then you don't.

My sentiments exactly.

I have two girls in school right now, 7th and 9th grades. Both have police officers in the school, but many schools don't have that option, It's simply too expensive.

Right now, if you're a teacher and want to move to a better pay grade, you go back to school and get your masters degree. Why not offer teachers that take an advanced CCW course the option to make the next higher pay grade? The course could be taught be the police academy. I'm sure that there would be many teachers willing and eager to contribute this service.
 
Or.......
You could lend a little bit of perspective on life:
View attachment 67139684

Nice paste and cut - From Terrorist. Saying the issues Isreal has and we have are the same is insane. They have people within thier communities who want to kill them wholesale. We don't at least not that way.
 
Either gun owners hang onto the narrative that they are law abiding citizens, that no one needs to fear for them being armed, or they can support actions like this. You can't have it both ways were you talk about stopping criminals, while you are currently breaking the law. Now I get it that her crime is far far from a murder or a shooting, but it is still illegal what she did.

Another law abiding citizen. She knew she didn't care and did it anyhow. WHo else thinks like that.
 
Just sayin'. I dont think all teachers should be forced to carry a weapon. This alone could lead to danger (the government should NEVER force someone to carry a gun. This may lead to spite and guess what?... they now have a gun). But if a teacher is comfortable with having one I say that's A-OK by me. Sorta how parents in America are now. If you are comfy with guns you might/probably have one. If you hate them then you don't.

Forced. Freedom and forced. Good luck with that whatevery country you live in. I live in the USA and I'll be damned if someone is going to FORCE Me to carry a gun just to make them feel better. Same junk as the pro life extremists.
 
Forced. Freedom and forced. Good luck with that whatevery country you live in. I live in the USA and I'll be damned if someone is going to FORCE Me to carry a gun just to make them feel better. Same junk as the pro life extremists.
..... read a little slower and perhaps try to comprehend it. I agree with you.
 
What are the differences? Do you really know what the culture and "gun" culture of Israel is like?

Israel is surrounded by approximately a billion people that want to kill them. Palestinians refuse to recognize their right to exist and make peace with them. Instead they launch dumb rockets at them regularly and sponsor all kinds of terrorist attacks into the country.

We don't have to face that kind of outside threat. So, while I don't know the specifics, I can appreciate that their culture would have a different attitude towards guns than the average American.

I have pointed out before, when most American families were required to own arms, could be assumed to be armed and there were little to no restriction on where you could carry you gun, America had a very low murder rate. We know that more guns in legal hands and reasonable self defense laws can and has prevented violent crime.

We also know that guns will not disappear in America anytime soon or if ever.

We also know that Armed Citizens are the final line of defense of the Country. This holds true whether there is currently a realistic threat or not. Considering how some want to cut defense, can we say absolutely that that final line will not be needed in the future? No.

Like any other issue we cannot point to a single cause nor will any action taken that address only one of the pertinent issues will actually fix the problem. We can ban the sale of "assault" rifles, but millions of them still exist in private hands. How long would such a ban have to last before it had a significant affect and reduce the numbers already in our society? We know that violent crime tends to concentrate in certain areas and with certain segments of our society.

Instead of tracking how much crime is committed with legally owned weapons vs those that are illegally obtained, our government is attempting to attack all gun owners. Why don't we try a maximum effort to remove illegal guns from our society before we start attacking and changing the rights of legal owners? Some are using the actions of a very small minority to attack the rights of the majority.

So taking all of this into account, how do you think we can change our society to better control violence in our society? That should be the goal, shouldn't it?

Well put.
 
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