Texting and driving is against the law as is drinking and driving but I see it several times a day on 6th. Ave. and Beltline. What I don't see are patrol cars anywhere except behind churches on the side streets and parking lots out of the biggest flow of traffic. What do laws mean to law breakers. Not a damn thing. It's against the law to come into the U.S. illegally but it happens and most are pampered and given free care.

Waiting on Bubba to comment. She seems to be scared of guns.

Well, as they say, "You are entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts." DD, you tell lies and half truths all through this hack peice. The Federal Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1990 makes exception for those licensed.

(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the possession of a firearm—

(ii) if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license; Furthermore, Alabama Code 13A-11-72 states "Subject to the exceptions provided by Section 13A-11-74, no person shall knowingly WITH INTENT TO DO BODILY HARM carry or possess a deadly weapon on the premises of a public school. (d) Possession of a deadly weapon WITH THE INTENT TO DO BODILY HARM on the premises of a public school in violation of subsection (c) of this section is a Class C felony. (e) Law enforcement officers are exempt from this section, and PERSONS WITH PISTOL PERMITS issued pursuant to Section 13A-11-75, are exempt from the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.

But you are correct that Mr Rich is overreacting by introducing this legislation. But not for the reason you probably think. The real reason is there is no law against teachers or other employees carrying in school. The superintendents and school boards already have that authority. All they have to do is change their own policies.

You seem to somehow know the hearts and minds of ALL of our teachers and prinicpals in the school systems. Somehow you are clairvoyant and have decided that none of them want to carry guns in order to protect the kids under their temporary care. I'll bet you'd be surprised if you asked them. I'll just bet some of them already have concealed carry permits. Did you see the large crowds of teacher in Utah showing up for free handgun classes? It would really be nice, if just for once, your knee didn't jerk so high. Maybe you would take the time to study the issue you are against. For someone who reports on the law and guns, you seem to know a whole lot of nothing about either. You claim to want more school resource officers in school, and if the money is there, I say go for it. But it doesn't take a law enforcement officer to stop an attack. It takes determination. And a gun.

Yeah, Decatur Daily, what's wrong with you people? Don't you know the answer to violence is more guns and more violence? Not more stringent laws on who can own a gun and what type of gun may be purchased, not banning these people's precious right to own assault weapons, not amending a 200+ year old document that was written before these types of weapons even existed.That's just ludicrous.

It's really amazing that a large portion of the population choose to find that, guns (a material object) is the cause for all of the unfortunate loss of life. Failing to realize the common denominator in all of these mass killings, is not guns, high capacity magazines, bullets, flash suppressors etc. It's the human element. If one chooses to create mass murder, a gun is just a tool to complete the evil psychotic act. So go to the extreme and take all guns away from everyday citizens, if this deranged person has developed this amount of hatred against human life as we know it, the person will complete their task by other means. Do you remember the number of people killed in Oklahoma City bombing? You realize not a single bullet was used, no 30 round magazines used, right. The fact of the matter is, if you relate a material item as being the cause of mass killings, would it not be fair to say vehicles should be outlawed..... More people are killed in vehicle crashes on a daily basis than in gun violence. Maybe limit vehicle speed to thirty miles per hour on all roads, but this is a far fetched argument. Ultimately we are all lazy and we all understand vehicles and the risk. So how is it so different from a firearm? They are both material items, that technically we could all live without. Maybe only the government should own guns and vehicles, maybe that is the best option....(sarcasm ). The only difference in a gun and vehicle are aside from the obvious is, in general people are familiar with vehicles, they are educated in schools on the use and dangers. Personally, I feel more gun education would go along way in this country, learning to respect firearms just as we do vehicles.

As far as the "200+ year old document" watch what you say, that document is what allows you to be able to get on here and leagally vent without repercussion, you open the door to change anything that our founding fathers set for this great land, you allow for all of your freedoms to be scrutinized.

Finally, if everyone would get back to the basics of respecting thy neighbor, show compassion to everyone, and realize that the world is not fair, and thats ok. Just because something doesn't go my way or I don't get what someone else has, it shouldn't bring to mind, I need to sue or seek retaliation. But learn and do better the next time and work hard for what I want or need. This builds character and pride in what you have, something that's coming up short in todays society and its not something the government can just add as a handout. Happy New Year! To all!

they say it's a calling but most lie. Most are in it for the pay and retirement, most.

Hahahaha in it for the pay?!?!?!?!

And Amen to Ruth

Bottom line is - the school must know what every person who comes through the door is up to. Once in a while, some crazy is going to show up. How that person is dealt with determines the safety of the children.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=epZod2qyyN4

So the Decatur Daily supports the NRA plan of armed guards. Good. That's what we need. People already trainee to engage an active shooter. Not armed teachers who can barely teach as is.

John, be patient. It'll warm up soon and you can get back to your mowing job.

That was a waste of time, paper, and ink, you should be in Congress! You offer nothing to help with the problem, how did the laws help those people at Sandy Hook? Laws are not any good without someone to enforce them! Funding for SROs is a problem already, oh you were aware of that Problem, give you a point! Our Legislature will pass requirements for more SROs but then not Fund them, remember we passed an amendment for funding for the next three years! More SROs means more guns in Schools, so much for your headlines.

A "teacher" at UAH went to school armed a coulpe of years ago. How did that work out?

becca sorry i missed your schedule but I was thinning the deer population. No dear I am not afraid of guns. I carry my pistol everywhere. Well, unless there is a metal detector around.

Bubba hunts like a girl smartly and stealthly

And no guns no one shot...................

Bubba still saying

Ronald...if you are jealous of the pay and retirement of teachers, then go to college, get you a degree and teaching certificate, then get a job and teach. You will discover very quickly that the pay is not enough for the hours/frustration spent on the job and outside of the job, and the retirement...well, I'm not familiar with very many wealthy retired teachers. They pretty much live from one retirement check to the next. So most do not lie, they do it because they feel called to do so. And most retire and get another job, most. Oh and by the way...if I'm expected to start packing a piece, I will begin drawing that retirement that you seem to envy...and I will be one of those who get another job.

The thing that scares me the most is that these freaks who are screaming about owning and carrying guns are allowed to carry them. Their in your face, redneck, trash talking makes it necessary for them to be armed. They are right about onre thing: people kill people and when ignorant people like these carry guns there will be trouble.If it were only these rednecks involved it might be ok, but these bozos, women it seems are as bad if not worse than men, are free to go out in public where innocent peoiple, including children,are present, it is another matter. And they want to carry assault rifles with 30 round clips. If most of these people had ever been in a gun fight or had to shoot another human being they might have a different opinion.

LOTS OF GOOD COMMON SENSE COMMENTS BY READERS THANK YOU. ANOTHERE CONSIDERATION --IS THAT AS MANY TEACHERS/SUPPORTERS STATEE --SIGNED UP TO TEACH,FEAR OF GUNS ,DONT KNOW SQUAT ABOUT GUNS. I HAPPEN TO THINK MOST TEACHERS HAVE THE SPUNK AND KNOWLEDGE TO WALK AND CHEW GUM AT SAME TIME. UPPER ECALON ADMINISTRATORS,PRINCIPLES AND OR AT LEAST ONE PERSON PER FLOOR OR AS DECIDED BY LOCAL LAWS AND SCHOOL DIDTRICTS SHOULD BE REQUIRED,AND ADDING CARRYING AND BEING TRAINED IH HAND GUN SAFETY AS PART OF THEIR DUTIES. NO CONCERN OR COMPLAINT CAN ARGUE AGAINST THE FACT THAT MOST DISTRICTS,CITIES AND THE CITIZENS CANNOT AFFORD THE LUXERY OF PAYING MORE PEOPLE ,AND ESPECIALLY ONE WHO LIKE BANK GUARDS AND MANY OTHERS SIT AROUND AND WAIT FOR ???? AND HAVENT WE WE HAD SEVERAL BANK ROBERRIES IN AREA LATELY. SCHOOLS---ARM YOUR TEACHERS,YOUR JANITORS ( IF NOT CUSTODIAL) AND OTHER EMPLOYEES WHO ARE THERE ALL DAY. MAYBE WE SHOULD ARM OUR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS. THERE IS NO LARGE HAZARD WITH TRAINED PEOPLE CARRYING A LOADED WEAPON AND MUCH MORE FEAR AND AVOIDANCE FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE TO DO HARM. THIS IS THE ONLY SENSIBLE AND COST REASONABLE SOLUTION TO THIS CONCERN., UNLESS LOCAL POLICE FORCES CAN PROTECT SMALLER SCHOOLS AND OR PROVIDE FULL TIME PROTECTION BY MEANS OTHER THAN SETTING IN A PARKED CAR AT MAIN ENTRANCES. .

AS MANY HAVE STATED WE HAVE LAWS AND LAWS ARE GREAT IF ENFORCED. TO ENFORCE A LAW THERE MUST BE ENFORCERS DOING ENFORCEMENT WO WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO HAVE THE SAME ENFORCEMENT WE DO FOR DRUGS, BORDERS,ITS ALREADY AGAINST THE LAW TO ENTER SCHOOLS ARMED,AND IF IM NOT MISTAKEN, ITS AGAINST THE LAW TO KILL ANOTHER IN MOST CASES EVEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED FOR KILLING SOMEONE FOR ENTERING THEIR HOMES WITH INTENT TO HARM. SO WE HAVE LAWS --EVEN USED FOR OVERKILL RE LAST STATEMENT ON ENTERING WITH ENTENT.

SO WE HAVE LAWS UP THE WHATEVER,LIKE ITS AGAINST THE LAW TO DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE--BUT WHEN IS IT ENFORCED---HOLIDAYS AND AFTER THE FACT---DO WE WANT AFTER THE FACT AND DO WE WANT GUARDS WITH PROTECTION THEIR ONLY JOB WHICH MAY DRAW APPLICANTS WITH MORE PROBLEMS THAN WE WANT AROUND OUR CHILDREN---I THINK NOT. IF WE MUST HIRE MORE MAINLY FOR PROTECTION --LETS GIVE THEM MORE DUTIES THAN JUST THAT. MORE BANG FOR THE TAXPAYERS BUCK