The Republican-controlled House of Delegates in West Virginia voted decisively on Wednesday to permit teachers and other school staff to carry guns in K-12 public schools after undergoing training.
The bill, currently on its way to the Senate, proposes permitting teachers, administrators, and support personnel with concealed carry permits to offer to bring a firearm into school to protect the school in the case of an active shooter situation. Named a "school protection officer," the staff member would not be given any extra pay for the role, as per The Independent.
West Virginia House Approves Bill
The West Virginia House approved House Bill 4299, a contentious piece of legislation permitting teachers in K-12 schools to serve as designated school protection officers, authorized to carry concealed firearms. Deliberations on the bill were protracted, with supporters highlighting the need for additional safety measures, particularly in response to potential mass shootings.
The bill, which now advances to the state Senate, proposes a voluntary program allowing teachers, administrators, and school service personnel to carry concealed handguns, stun guns, and tasers.
Lead sponsor Del. Doug Smith, R-Mercer, defended the bill, asserting that it doesn't advocate for arming every teacher but rather proposes a carefully planned and voluntary initiative.
Smith emphasized practical training in firearms and crisis management for willing educators, ensuring that only adequately prepared individuals would carry concealed weapons. Advocates argue that this measure provides an alternative safety tool to safeguard students in the event of a mass shooting.
Under the proposed legislation, county school systems could voluntarily designate K-12 teachers, administrators, and service personnel as school protection officers (SPOs). These SPOs would undergo a stringent application process, requiring a valid concealed carry permit and completion of an SPO training program through the state Department of Homeland Security.
The bill includes provisions for revoking SPO designations by county school systems, with an appeals process outlined to the Division of Justice and Community Services, according to WVNews.
West Virginia Allocates Funds for School Protection
Schools already equipped with prevention resource officers and school security officers, typically local law enforcement officers, could still participate in the SPO program. The bill allocates $5,000 per county school system, totaling $275,000 if all 55 counties participate, to cover the cost of annual training for new and current SPOs.
While the entire House Republican caucus voiced support for the bill, all 11 members of the House Democratic caucus opposed it. Concerns were raised about the minimal training required for SPO certification, the lack of input from school systems and parents, and the absence of notifications to students and parents about certified SPOs in schools.
On the other hand, Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, identified the importance of dealing with mental health issues and condemned controversial legislative actions. The individual contended that simply having firearms would not be sufficient to improve security in schools without addressing broader societal issues.
The bill's passage in the West Virginia House reflects a broader national debate on arming teachers. While some states have adopted similar measures, there is a lack of conclusive research on the effectiveness of such policies in improving school safety. The bill now moves to the state Senate for further consideration, Mountain States reported.
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