Public Opinion Of The Sentinel Bill

The Sentinel Bill is a sensitive piece of legislation. It may be designed to offer security to public school parents, but it isn't popular with everyone.

"I think it's dumb. That's just it. Teachers don't need to have guns in school. There's other issues they need to work with," Sioux Falls resident June Poe said.

"I get scared if a kid found it or someone found it or if it was left alone. Or if someone, God forbid, came into the school and found the gun and used it as more ammo for them," Sioux Falls resident Kaitlyn Foster said.

Guns falling into the wrong hands was a common fear we found while talking with people.

"I think that'd be pretty unsafe. Especially if they have guns right there in the classroom. What keeps other students from getting to it," Sioux Falls resident Shani Alexander said.

Even some high school students we spoke share the same fear.

"I don't think guns should be allowed. Even if it's just teachers. Because then if you make a teacher mad they could shoot you," high school sophomore Arieonna Vanlaar said.

"No, because kids now a days, it's just easier for them to snatch it from someone's pocket and grab it. Then they could just use it," high school sophomore Rebecca Milk said.

While everyone we talked to agreed schools need to protect students, many believed there has to be a better way.

"They could just have front door access only. And lock all other doors. Only allowing exits. So that anybody that comes in has to check in somewhere. But yah, they don't need guns in school," Poe said.

"I think it's good that people are being protected. But I think it should be by a cop, or someone who is trained. But not just a teacher," Foster said.

We did speak to some people who were in support of the bill; however they did not want to appear on camera.