On an Article I Read

The other day my friend sent me an article about the school shooting that happened in Finland. There were comments, about 5,000, mostly about teachers. People were talking about how teachers should do a better job in schools and it's their fault that students are resorting to shooting other people. Someone actually suggested that teachers be armed in the classroom, and should be allowed to open fire if there is a danger to the school. When I left my own comment saying that instead of teachers having guns, they should be there for their students as people they can look up to, not someone they fear. The people commenting the article fired back at me saying that if I feel that way, I'm never going to get respect as a teacher. I think teachers can be fair but firm, and be compassionate while still earning respect. They don't need to be feared by their students. At least that's not how I feel. What does everyone else think?