NEW BRITAIN - Students at New Britain High School told a few members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation that teachers should not be armed in schools.

The message came during a roundtable discussion in the school’s library with U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, and U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes. The legislators were there to discuss the possibility of educators having weapons in school in response to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ push to use federal funds to arm teachers. All three lawmakers said they were against arming teachers, but wanted to hear from students on the issue.

“Teachers are like parents at the school. I can’t imagine seeing my dad and mom wearing guns on their back,” said Nader Alhasni, a 12th-grade student. “I’m seeing all my teachers, all day, and they all have guns? That’s going to be stressful for me and them. Some teachers don’t want to hold a gun.”

Other students echoed that statement, saying having teachers carry guns may deter future teachers from pursuing a career in education.

Students also told the lawmakers that funds should be devoted to address mental health issues, adding giving teachers guns would be fighting fire with fire.

Superintendent of Schools Nancy Sara said the district could use more technology for increased security measures, but that she would prefer personnel engage with students on a positive level, “because it’s about relationships.”

“There is this line where you don’t want to cross with which you feel like you’re militarizing schools,” Murphy said. “I have a first grader and he’s already scared, having to go through an active shooter drill at least once a year.”

“I’m not sure that I want there to be a bulletproof box in his classroom and every day he walks in, he has to think about whether or not he’s going to survive,” Murphy continued.

“We all believe that schools should be safe and secure, but there’s other ways to do that,” said Hayes, pointing to bulletproof glass, doors that lock behind themselves and guidance counselors.

Hayes, who taught in the Waterbury school system and was the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, added it takes everyone in a school building to make sure that kids are in the classes they’re supposed to be and not left to deal with their emotions on their own.

“Most of these school massacres are done by people with high capacity magazines and assault rifles, trying to fire 20 rounds in a matter of seconds,” said Blumenthal. “Nobody, not even a school resource officer...has a fair fight…We need a comprehensive approach, which is why I mentioned earlier the background checks, ban on assault weapons, a series of common sense measures.”

To prevent DeVos’ actions, Murphy and Hayes introduced a resolution earlier this month, which stated Congress has made it clear it is unlawful for federal funds to be used for training or arming school personnel with firearms.

Murphy reintroduced the Background Check Expansion Act in January, co-sponsored by Blumenthal, to expand federal background checks to all gun sales. Hayes voted for the House version.

Blumenthal, in March of last year, co-sponsored with Judiciary Committee Chairman U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, bipartisan legislation that would allow courts to issue extreme risk protection order removing firearms from individuals who are a danger to themselves or others.