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Teachers unions express opposition to active shooter drills

Posted at 5:44 PM, Feb 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-12 17:44:46-05

HARTFORD, Conn. – The nation's two largest teachers unions are calling on schools to revise or eliminate active shooter drills.

The American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association issued a report Tuesday with the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety Support.

They assert that simulating a school shooting can harm the mental health of students and educators.

They say schools should instead concentrate on training teachers to respond to emergencies.

Jean-Paul Guilbault, the chief executive of the Alice Training Institute, which runs active shooter drills, says they are effective when done appropriately.