State Senate Proposes Bill to Allow Teachers, Staff to Carry Guns
In wake of school shootings at Marshall County High School last month and at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida last week, a Kentucky Senate Bill is gaining ground that would allow teachers and staff to carry guns.
Senate Bill 103 was introduced by three Senators including district 5 Senator Stephen Meredith who represents Breckinridge, Edmonson, Grayson, Hart, Larue, and Meade counties on January 23, the day of the shooting at Marshall County High.
Under the bill, public school boards and private schools would designate teachers or staff to serve as school marshals who would be allowed to carry a gun on campus, only if he or she has a concealed carry permit.
Concealed carry classes in Kentucky teach basic firearm mechanics and safety, however there is no training for active shooter situations, which is the only instance a school marshal would be allowed use a gun.
The weapons would be stored in a lock box on school property at all other times.
School resource officers are currently the only line of defense on campuses and there are approximately 264 serving over half of the state's counties.
Other states considering similar proposals include Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and South Carolina.