91Èȱ¬

But the town has hit the headlines because Ms Katz has taken the school district to over its policy of prohibiting employees from carrying guns on school grounds.

PROTECTING STUDENTS

Ms Katz, who holds a firearms licence, says she wants to take her handgun to school to be able to protect herself and her students from attacks, such as the ones that took place at Virginia Tech earlier this year and the Columbine-attack in 1999.

She initially got the gun because she says that her former husband was a threat - something he denies - but she now says school safety is her priority.

AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A SAFER SOCIETY

Ms Katz says that she previously taught at an inner city school and that because the students had access to guns they didn't use them because they knew they would get shot themselves.

But because her current school - South Medford High - is gun free, there is is nothing to deter someone from using a weapon on the premises.

OTHER ARMED TEACHERS

Ms Katz says that many of her students support her stance and that she knows of other teachers in other schools who carry weapons to defend themsleves and their students.

We plan to talk to Ms Katz during Tuesday's programme. If you would like to take part in the discussion, please email us your phone number (it won't be published) to worldhaveyoursay@bbc.co.uk or post your details on the blog.