Runestad: Trained employees should have option to carry in school

Legislation aimed at bringing more security to Michigan’s schools in the wake of the recent school shooting in Florida is under development, according to Jim Runestad, chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

The legislation would provide an exemption under Michigan’s concealed carry laws to give specially trained teachers and staff the option to have secure access to firearms for emergency purposes in restricted school zones.

“Children are vulnerable targets in our schools and school shootings will not be stopped until our schools are secure,” said Runestad, of White Lake. “By the time police arrive it is usually too late. It’s time to develop model protocols for the nation here in Michigan, whereby specially trained staff who volunteer will be able to access a secured firearm in event of an emergency.”

Runestad said the bills would allow secured locations of locked firearms in undisclosed locations in school buildings. The program will be optional.

Multiple states are currently considering options to arm teachers and staff who volunteer or piloting programs to partner with law enforcement to have administrative field offices located in schools with armed officers.

“Our children will not be secure in our schools until we have adequate defenses,” Runestad said. “This means specialty trained voluntary staff with the means to protect them, along with other security features.”

The legislation is expected to be taken up in Judiciary Committee in March.