Idahoans generally believe their schools are safe — but they split along party lines on the issue of arming teachers.
Idaho Politics Weekly and Dan Jones & Associates surveyed Idahoans on gun control and school safety issues, in the wake of the Feb. 14 mass shootings at a Florida high school.
Overall, 75 percent of respondents said they believe Idaho schools are safe for children to attend. Only 20 percent of respondents said they believe schools are unsafe. A majority of respondents say schools are safe, regardless of party affiliation.
When it comes to arming teachers in schools — already allowed under state law — partisan splits come into focus.
- Seventy-nine percent of Republican respondents say public schools would be safer if teachers with concealed-weapons permits are allowed to carry guns in schools. Ten percent said this change would make schools less safe, and 10 percent said it would make no difference.
- Among independents, 40 percent said armed teachers would make schools safer, while 35 percent said schools would be less safe, and 22 percent said it would make no difference.
- Among Democrats, 58 percent said armed teachers would make schools less safe, while 20 percent said this move would enhance school safety, and 22 percent said it wouldn’t matter.
Overall, 54 percent of respondents said armed teachers would enhance school safety, while 26 percent of respondents said it would make schools less safe. The remaining respondents said the approach would make no difference, or they said they were unsure about the idea.
Dan Jones & Associates polled 617 adults from Feb. 26 through March 15. The survey’s margin of error is 3.9 percent.
