A Republican politician argued teachers should not be armed in the wake of the Florida high school shooting - because most of them are women.

Alabama state representative Harry Shiver claimed that women "are scared of guns" and don't want to learn how to shoot.

Mr Shiver told AL.com he would probably abstain from voting on a bill that would allow trained teachers to carry guns on school campuses.

"I'm not saying all [teachers are women], but in most schools, women are (the majority) of the teachers," he said.

"Some of them just don't want to (be trained to possess firearms). If they want to, then that's good. But most of them don't want to learn how to shoot like that and carry a gun.

"Most women wouldn't like to be put in that position. I know from South Alabama, they wouldn't."

Mr Shiver added: "I want to protect our ladies and I think the best way to protect them is to go against this bill."

Three quarters of public school teachers in America are women. It is estimated that 22 per cent of American women own guns.

The US President said he was considering proposals to arm teachers after 14 students and three members of staff were shot dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Survivors of the massacre oppose any plan to give teachers guns and have called for stricter firearm controls.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed a bill allowing some teachers to carry guns and raising the minimum age for rifle purchases from 18 to 21.

Florida shooting – in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Florida shooting – in pictures Florida shooting – in pictures Police arrest a suspect in connection with the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida Reuters Florida shooting – in pictures Parents wait for news after reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida AP Florida shooting – in pictures Anxious family members wait for news of students AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee Florida shooting – in pictures Students being evacuated from the school AP Florida shooting – in pictures Students being evacuated from the school Getty Florida shooting – in pictures People gather waiting for word from students AP Florida shooting – in pictures Parents waiting for news on their children AP Florida shooting – in pictures People gather at a hotel where students were taken after the shooting Getty Florida shooting – in pictures Florida Governor Rick Scott speaks to the media as he visits Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School following the shooting AFP/Getty Florida shooting – in pictures Dr. Igor Nichiporenko, Medical Director Trauma, left, and Dr. Evan Boyer, Medical Director, Emergency Services, speak about treating victims and the suspect at a press conference outside Broward Health North hospital AP