State School Board member calls out State Representative Harry Shiver for his comments on female teachers

Every legislative session, some Alabama legislator is going to say something backwards and silly. This year, it may be State Representative Harry Shiver’s turn. Speaking at a committee hearing on a bill that would allow teachers to carry firearms in school Shiver said, “our ladies” need the legislature to protect them and that female teachers “are scared of guns”. One of Alabama’s elected females (yes we have these) wanted to let Rep. Shiver know that not all women needed his protection:

Harry, I love ya, but come on…Ladies carry weapons just fine. #PrepareToWin https://t.co/Guh5W93AQ5 pic.twitter.com/sqUUkOQyEB

— Mary Scott Hunter (@MaryScottHunter) March 16, 2018

Why this matters: Hunter, who is also a State Senate candidate, is obviously needling Shiver who she considers a friend. She supports allowing teachers to carry in classrooms under the right circumstances.

Maybe Shiver’s heart is in the right place, and he believes that female teachers shouldn’t be forced to be around guns. But this argument is not an honest argument. No one is suggesting anybody be forced to carry a firearm to be a teacher. If passed, which it will not this year, this legislation allows teachers who want to carry to receive training to do so, thus giving them an opportunity to protect their students and themselves. Surely, there are women who would like to receive this opportunity.

The details:

— 22 percent of American women own at least one firearm.

— More women than men (92 percent) say protection is “the only reason” they own a gun.

— While Americans oppose letting teachers carry firearms in schools, 68 percent of Republicans are in favor.

— When you ask parents, with kids in K-12 schools, 59 percent support incentives for teachers who will carry.

(Image: Mary Scott Hunter/Twitter)

Dale Jackson hosts a daily radio show from 7-11 a.m. on NewsTalk 770 AM/92.5 FM WVNN and a weekly television show, “Guerrilla Politics,” on WAAY-TV, both in North Alabama. Follow him @TheDaleJackson.