Elise Patkotak had an emotional opinion piece (Jan. 23) about teachers so overloaded that they would not be able to carry weapons also. What Miss Patkotak does not understand is that the NRA and others are asking for armed guards in our schools. Let the teachers teach and let the armed guards police the schools. Even President Clinton, when in office, started to fund a program to allow guards but it was underfunded. Also, in Israel, they have armed guards in their schools ever since Yasser Arafat was the first terrorist in 1973 to hold a school hostage, and it is very successful. So yes, Miss Patkotak, let the teachers teach and let’s bring in the armed guards now!

— Brian Davies

Anchorage