US Gun Control: Trump's armed teachers proposal galvanizes both sides of gun debate

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President Trump's suggestion that specially trained teachers carry guns has put the issue at the top of the political agenda. He suggested the idea Wednesday while hosting families and students from a number of school shootings in the United States. The discussion continued on Thursday - as did the controversy. CGTN's Owen Fairclough has this report.

U.S. President Donald Trump meeting school safety experts to discuss preventing another massacre like the one in Florida with one of his more controversial ideas: arming some teachers with special training or military experience.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "If they really have that aptitude, I think a concealed permit for having teachers, and letting people know there are people in the building with guns, you won't have in my opinion, you won't have these shootings."

Trump's suggestion was music to America's most powerful gun lobby at the annual meeting of the American Conservative Union.

WAYNE LAPIERRE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION CHIEF EXECUTIVE "It's a bizarre fact that in this country our jewelry stores all over this country are more important than our children. Our movies stars, our politicians, they're all more protected than our children at school. The whole idea from some of our opponents that armed security makes us less safe is completely ridiculous."

The NRA's participation at this event was somewhat unexpected.

OWEN FAIRCLOUGH NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND "Up until the evening before its appearance, the NRA was not on the official agenda. It was only when I arrived to pick up a hard copy of the agenda that it was confirmed. According to some reports, the NRA was concerned about outrage from the anti-gun lobby."

But Delegates here voiced support for Trump's idea to arm teachers.

This, as the gun control movement has been given fresh momentum by students from Majory Stoneman Douglas high school who survived the shooting. They've mounted an all-out campaign to win stricter gun laws - leading their peers across the U.S. Wednesday - in a mass classroom walkout.

And they're backed by the National Education Association of teachers, vehemently opposed to the three million educators it represents carrying guns. Owen Fairclough, CGTN, National Harbor, Maryland.