Another example of "This is so stupid it has to be true"

I've gotten into debates with teachers and others on the wisdom of arming educators in case of an active shooter. Putting that aside for the moment, this is beyond the limit of sanity.

Middle School Asks Kids To Bring In Cans To Fight School Shooters

In a letter to parents obtained by WHNT, W.F. Burns Middle School principal Priscella Holley and assistant principal Donna Bell asked each student to bring in a canned food item to throw at an intruder.

“We realize at first this may seem odd, however it is a practice that would catch an intruder off-guard,” the letter said. “The canned food item could stun the intruder or even knock him out until the police arrive. The canned food item will give the students a sense of empowerment to protect themselves and will make them feel secure in case an intruder enters their classroom.”

Bell told BuzzFeed News that the administration decided to ask parents to send the items after receiving training from the ALICE Training Institute.

The private company offers training courses to prepare schools, churches and other institutions for an active shooter.

Nick Feyerchak, a representative from the company, told BuzzFeed News their courses have been offered at more than 30,000 schools and give school staff better tools than a lockdown to ensure their students’ safety.

One of those tactics, he said, is throwing heavy objects at the shooter if all else fails.

“It’s a distraction (to the shooter),” he said.

Feyerchak dismissed criticism that the children would just agitate or anger the shooter, possibly making the situation worse.

“How does it get any worse?” he asked, adding, “How is just simply hiding under your desk when a gunman is shooting at you going to help?

Feyerchak said the program does not specifically say you must throw cans, but he has heard of schools recommending cans be used in defense.

“You want to go out fighting,” he said...

...The police department in the city of Valley, Alabama, where the school is located, did not respond to BuzzFeed News’ request for comment about the plan.

Where to start on this. One, one study after another shows there is only one thing that stops a bad guy with a gun. A good guy with a gun. Two, if there is an active shooter the one thing you are going to want to do is run off as fast as possible, not stand and fight while you are unarmed. And if you don't know it, a can is not a match to a gun. Three, if you are unarmed and can't get out, the last thing you want to do is draw attention to yourself. Throwing a can at someone will make you a greater target. Finally, I wonder if this school system, or the company offering the training realize what kind of liability they have opened themselves open to if there is an active shooter here.

Sorry guys, pay off duty cops or hire rent-a-cops for this.