Bill Would Let Pa. School Employees Carry Guns At Work

By Alison Smith

The Pennsylvania State Senate Education Committee on Tuesday will consider a bill that would Pennsylvania school employees to carry firearms while at work.

The legislation was prompted by recent school shootings, one of its sponsors said.

“I believe we need to consider providing school employees with more choices than just locking a door, hiding in a closet or diving in front of bullets to protect students,” said state Sen. Donald White (R- 41st), one of the bill’s sponsors. “With the legal authority, licensing and proper training, I believe allowing school administrators, teachers or other staff to carry firearms on the school premises is an option worth exploring.”

If Senate Bill 1193 were to become law, additional steps would have to be taken before employees could begin carrying firearms.

“My bill will not mandate a school’s participation, but will give school boards the ability to establish policy and put in place protocols needed to enable personnel to exercise their ability to access a firearm on designated school property,” White said.

Under the terms of the bill, policies allowing employees to carry firearms would have to be approved by individual school districts. Additionally, those employees would have to be licensed to carry firearms and maintain current certification in their use.

Current state law prohibits weapons on school grounds, including a “firearm, shotgun or rifle.”

Would you want your child’s teacher to be armed?