Sheriffs Joe Arpaio and Paul Babeu have different plans for protecting Arizona schools
Photographer: KNXV
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 12/27/2012
PHOENIX - Two Arizona sheriffs have ideas on how to protect schools, and their plans are far from the same.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio wants to use his posse. Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu wants to arm willing principals.
Sheriff Arpaio said his plan is similar to the posse he started in 1993 to patrol area malls. Arpaio said his posse members have more than 100 hours of firearms training and will probably carry Glock handguns.
Arpaio also said they will wear similar uniforms and drive similar cars as full fledged deputies so the bad guys can't tell the difference. "These aren't just regular citizens playing with guns at schools," said Arpaio. He plans to start his program next week.
Sheriff Babeu said we have created "sitting duck zones" at schools and said training and arming principals who are willing is the best way to help protect students and teachers. "Why not use these people we trust if they are willing to protect themselves and our children?" he said.
Sheriff Babeu said he does not think limiting gun ownership or automatic weapons is the answer.
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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