A state representative in Albertville said Thursday he plans to file a bill that would clear the path for administrators and teachers to carry guns in schools.

The proposed legislation, which has not been filed, would allow boards of education to identify and approve potential administrators and teachers to carry guns on campus. While the lawmaker says the proposal is not solely motivated by the killing of 20 children and six adults earlier this month in a Connecticut school, that tragedy is an impetus for the move.

Alabama won’t be alone in considering this type of legislation. Just last week, a national leader of the National Rifle Association called for armed security guards in every school across America as a safety measure. We suspect as the national debate is waged, gun control will become a political hot potato,with the victims of Sandy Hook used as emotional fodder on both sides of the argument.

But let’s not forget the tragedy in Connecticut runs much deeper than a debate over gun control or arming school security guards. It speaks to issues about metal health care and about the darkness that can drive a person to depths many of us cannot fathom and to unimaginably horrific acts.

And simply deciding to put guns in the hands of campus principals or teachers won’t solve those problems.