South Carolina Legislator Giving Away Guns To Teachers

COLUMBIA, SC — A South Carolina state lawmaker says he will give away three handguns to teachers in the aftermath of the deadly Valentine's Day school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that sparked calls by President Trump and others to arm classroom teachers. Rep. Steven Long, a Republican, said he is sponsoring the gun-giveaway to show support for several bills before South Carolina’s House of Representatives to allow teachers pack heat in the classroom.

Long said arming teachers and school staff is “the most efficient and most effective” way to protect students during school shootings like the one at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where Nikolas Cruz is accused of killing 17 people and wounding many more.

“This is entirely voluntary,” Long said in a statement about proposals in his state to arm teachers. “We aren’t forcing teachers who don’t feel comfortable with a gun to carry. Not every teacher will want to carry or needs to carry, but for those who are willing and able, we need to allow them this protection.

"I’m open to a discussion regarding the specifics of a program that allows teachers to carry, but it is undeniable that we must take action on this issue," he said in the statement.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has said that he will sign a bill allowing Palmetto State teachers to be armed if it makes it to his desk. Several bills have been introduced that would allow teachers to carry.

Several states — including Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming — already allow teachers to carry concealed weapons, according to media reports. Along with South Carolina, several other states or school boards are also debating the contentious idea of arming teachers, including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and North Carolina.

Long said the three guns he plans to give away — one in K-12 schools, another in colleges and universities, and a third to to “any freedom-loving patriot who wishes to participate in the drawing” — are Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm pistols. The teachers or other school personnel receiving them would get a gift certificate for training required to obtain a concealed weapons permit in South Carolina.

Long has set up a donation page to raise the money to cover the costs of the guns and training, but said a contribution isn’t required to enter the drawing. Excess proceeds will be donated to South Carolina Carry, a nonprofit advocacy group that promotes pro-Second Amendment policies and firearms education.

He called “the criminals who shoot up schools ... mentally defective cowards,” and cited Crime Prevention Research Center statistics that claim 98 percent of mass shootings occur in gun-free zones.

“The killers know that they are unlikely to encounter armed resistance and be stopped and they’re going after defenseless targets, Long said. “Well, not anymore. By allowing trained adults to defend the students, we will send the message to those deranged psychotic degenerates that children are our top priority and we will protect them.”

See Also

#ArmMeWith: 10 Things Teachers Would Rather Have Than Guns

Do Not Arm Teachers, Say Military Vets Working As Cops

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