In the wake of every mass shooting, we ask ourselves the same question: how do we prevent this from happening again? For many, the go-to answer is to enact stricter gun laws, specifically a ban on the type of weapon used. But there’s another idea that seems to be gaining traction this time around, and it doesn’t involve taking away your guns. In fact, it suggests the opposite: arm teachers and other school staff members.

Now, it’s important to note that those in favor of such legislation do not believe all teachers must carry. No one is forcing anyone to carry a gun who is not comfortable doing so. But those who are comfortable conceal carrying a firearm, and are willing to do so in a school setting, should be allowed to – after receiving the proper training, of course.

That’s why, following the massacre in Parkland, Florida, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones in Ohio announced that his department would be offering a free concealed carry weapons course for all Butler County school employees.

Attention Butler County School Employees: If you're interested in our FREE CCW class, email your full name, school affiliate, and contact information to [email protected]. Accepting 50 candidates. We will contact you for date / time of class.

— Richard K. Jones (@butlersheriff) February 19, 2018

According to Jones, within 20 minutes, 50 people had signed up for the class. On Tuesday, when registration closed, that number had risen to 300.

The Ohio Sheriff first shared the idea in a Facebook post the day after the Parkland shooting.

https://www.facebook.com/ButlerCountySO/videos/1417823575007672/

“This is not going to stop or go away, but we need to be prepared, and we don’t need to have our heads in the sand,” Jones says in the video. President Trump, a number of legislators, and the hundreds of teachers who signed up for the course seem to agree.