In 1994, Bill Clinton introduced the Gun-Free School Act for a reason, that is to keep learning environments free of violence (Anderson 1). However, in light of recent shootings, President Trump advises teachers to carry guns and be able to use them when necessary. The Wall Street Journal’s article Some Teachers Already Have Guns addresses the ethical dilemma of urging teachers to carry guns in order to protect students or putting students in danger because of the presence of guns. Some people think that allowing teachers to carry guns would deter shooters, others think it is a recipe for disaster. I will argue that requiring teachers to carry guns is unethical as it violates Kantian ethics of universalizability and respect for persons.
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It is not the teacher’s primary duty to protect students; a teacher’s prime duty is to educate students. Shanna Peeples, a former Texas English teacher who was named the 2015 National Teacher of the Year says: “I can’t imagine having to add weapons training on top of what I already do (Hobbs).” Conforming to Kant, in order to determine our duties, we apply reason to conclude if we can logically and consistently will the maxim of our action. As previously demonstrated, if doing an act – allowing teachers to carry guns –results in a logical inconsistency, then the duty does not apply, and we must not do it. This brings us to Kant’s theory of autonomy which asks people to “always choose in such a way that the maxims of your choice are incorporated as a universal law in the same violation (Groundwork 37).” Therefore, we must respect a teacher’s decision not to carry a gun because according to Kant we must respect a person’s reason and will. Overriding people’s autonomy or forcing them to act against their will is forbidden based on Kant’s theory of respect for persons. “People, as rational beings, should be free to choose for themselves” and not coerced into a heteronomous environment (Idiot’s