"APS Cops and Guns Top Forum Concerns"

was the title of an article by the Journal's Lloyd Jojola in the Journal this morning.

Saturday, at Del Norte High School, a community forum on campus security was held. Strong feelings permeated the discussion; the strongest feelings centered around arming the APS Police Force 24/7.

Although the topic of campus security is complex and far ranging; the hot button issue is undoubtedly, the presense of armed police officers on campus while students are present.

Passion can have a tendency to overtake reason in an argument. Take for instance the argument that, “...you can’t stop violence with violence.” However passionately Julian Moya, of the SouthWest Oganizing Project, believes that premise; however nice its "ring"; it is not supported by evidence.

In fact, in every case of which I am aware, the violence of school shootings was absolutely ended by violence; usually self inflicted, but violence never the less.

Further, there is no evidence that preparing for violence; begets violence. The contrary can be argued; that peace can sometimes be found through superior firepower.

Another argument, carried on a poster by one of a number of young people in attendance at the forum; proclaimed that arming police officers would “criminalize” students; another suggested that the arming of police officers would interfere with the education of students. Each argument draws support; but neither is substantiated by fact.

The point is that, this is not an issue that should be settled by the most emotional or passionate argument. It should be settled by calm and logical debate of possible solutions to a complex problem; only one aspect of which involves firearms.

Passion is good for attendance;
but not so good for the quality of the debate.