West Virginia’s Republican-controlled House of Delegates voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to allow teachers and other school staff who undergo training to carry guns in K-12 public schools.
The bill, which now heads to the Senate, would allow teachers, administrators and support personnel with concealed carry permits to volunteer to bring a firearm into school with the intention of using it to defend the school in case of an active shooter event. Designated a “school protection officer,” the staffer wouldn’t receive any additional compensation for doing so.
Supporters say not every school system in West Virginia can afford to hire a full-time school resource officer. This program would provide another option.
Before the vote, Republican Del. Dave Foggin of Wood County, a physics teacher, said he can’t think of anything worse than shooting someone in his classroom. But he said if that person came into his school trying to hurt his students, he would do it.
Anecdotal, I know, but the only person I’ve ever had to keep on eye on at camp was my ex-Marine friend. And he was a firearms instructor when he served.
He came close to flagging us a time or two, and one night popped one off downrange without letting everyone know. And that’s a rule at my camp. Everyone must be in sight, and you must make eye contact with them and be certain they’re wearing ear pro.
Maybe those guys get a little more casual? And for that matter, women are the best to train. They pay attention and follow rules. Guys tend to cowboy up, act like they know it all.