My husband and I read Mary Sell’s article, ”School safety top priority” in which she quotes Sen. Roger Bedford: “Certainly, we need to protect our schools from crazy people; however, arming teachers and/or staff with guns is the least workable solution imaginable.”

We agree with Bedford but are troubled and alarmed by state Rep. Kerry Rich, R-Albertville, who plans to introduce a bill in 2013 that would allow some school employees to be armed. It would be best if school systems provided trained resource officers that are armed.

His idea is to have two to five armed administrators or teachers per school.

Local superintendents and school boards would determine who receives access to firearms.

Also alarming is state Rep. Lynn Greer’s comment: “My first choice would be to have armed guards at every school, but I don’t know how we would afford that.”

My husband and I fear the unforeseen consequences of legislation having educators act as peace-keeping professionals at our schools.

I’m a retired teacher, distressed by the killing of 20 elementary students and six educators in Newtown, Conn. I agree with Bedford: “I am not yet convinced we need to start arming our schools. I think that could cause more problems than answers.”

We could begin school safety by welcoming students, personnel, teachers and a representative from city/county police department who would explain their non-scheduled presence on campus.

This first step toward safety in our schools will work only if Alabama’s politicians are willing to pass strict laws forbidding the sale of magazine-type guns in the state of Alabama.

Alice Carter Dill

Raymond J. Dill

Florence