What States Can Teachers Carry Guns?
Teaching is a noble profession that requires empathy, patience, and bravery. In recent years, there has been a increasing debate about whether teachers should be allowed to carry firearms in the classroom to respond to potential threats. States have been divided on the issue, with some permitting firearms in schools while others having stricter laws. In this article, we will look at the states where teachers can carry guns.
What States Can Allow Teachers to Carry Guns?**
As of 2022, the following 10 states permit concealed carry of firearms, leaving it up to individual employers or school districts to establish policies on teachers carrying firearms:
- Oklahoma: In April 2019, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed a school safety bill that lets teachers and school employees in the state carry concealed, loaded firearms on school properties.
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s "Teacher Protection Act," signed into law in September 2019, bars schools from prohibiting employees (including teachers) from owning or carrying firearms for either personal or professional purposes as long as they comply with state and federal laws related to firearms.
- Kentucky: Kentucky Revised Statues 527.0600 allows school districts the discretion to permit school safety personnel, including teachers with proper training, to transport and store firearms for work-related purposes.
- Tennessee: Laws in Tennessee permit schools in the state to have gun-free zones, but as of 2022, there is no enforced ban on carrying Firearms in schools for designated school safety personnel or even teachers.
- Arkansas: Bill 1034 passes in 2017 repealed the state’s previous outright ban on carrying guns in schools for regular school employees. Private schools are exempted with a specific exemption from schools’ gun-free zone mandate.*
- Idaho: Idaho’s " Guns in School" Proposition 2, authorized in 2016 referendum, allows school districts in local elections to decide whether carrying firearms in schools will not be prohibited.
- Missouri: Effective July 2016 is the "Magnet Schools" law or HB 152, which allows schools, excluding magnet schools, to prohibit firearms on school properties so long as the policy and any exceptions are disclosed
- Texas: Legislation in 2017 called HB 378 allows school districts in participating counties to allow some school employees, such as teachers, school superintendents, chief law enforcement officers, officers of the court, , and law enforcement members*, to carry a defensive firearm on school premises,
- Alabama: In 2019* HB 92 the Alabama Legislature approved legislation legalizing the carrying of guns outside of school buildings if given permission by the local elected school board.
10.Utah. In 2013-2014, Interim Committee on Public Officer Standards and Practices, gave school districts the power to opt opt-out of the federal no-guns-in-school-policy, while simultaneously permitting school districts the to decide whether or not some school employees (e- teachers) may transport the school premises and to, and store,
To clarify, these laws not necessarily mean that teachers in individual schools are carrying firearms since some schools may not embrace the idea of carrying pistols in the classroom.
As you can see from table below, some states impose restrictions on teachers carrying Guns:
| State | Who Can Carry Guns in the Classroom | Restrictions | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | Teachers School Employees | School Board may restrict | Governor signed House Bill 1117/Senate Bill 613 May 2019 |
| Wisconsin | Teachers School Employers | School Board to establish policy | Governor Evers signed AB 131/SB 97 In September 2019) |
| Kentucky | District discretion | No restriction recorded | Kentucky Revised Statuet 527.060 |
| Tennessee | No restrictions unless school board decides | If school board decides, will be restricted | State Codes and Statutes (KRS 527.035) |
| Arkansas | Teachers School Employees | Teachers must have permit and participate in training | 8th Circuit Court ruling November 2018) State Code 5-27-226 |
| Iowa | Teachers School Employees; Private schools exempt | Federal Gun-Free Schools Act prohibited | Iowa Code Chapter (Iowa Code Annsections 724.17 ) |
| Missouri | Permitted in non-mag-net schools | If it is a magnet school restricted | Missouri Revised Statuen 170.115-RS 170.107 |
| Texas | For participating counties, with school board permission | None recorded | HB 377 2017 |
Another significant point to highlight:Private schools vary in their policies_. Some might support the idea of carrying Concealed Firearms while, others may have different philosophies**. This shows that even within states allow teachers to carry firearms,, not all schools have been influenced by these laws.
Conclusion
While all states have varying policies permitting teachers to carry guns at school, the question stands: what are the measures in place to ensure our children’s safety and responsible gun handling? With guns in schools, concerns inevitably arise about potential accidental, intentional, or excessive damage. It is essential
References:
- K-12 Schools
- Oklahoma State Capitol > News > 20191119
- KFOR Oklahoma City, Published April 16,2019
- Public Law 111-490, 2019 Senate Bill 613 and related House Bill 11172
- Wisconsin Policy Forum
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "La Follette School analysis debunks claims about guns i
- Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, 31 January 2022.)
- Wisconsin Legislature "2019 Assembly Bill Abstracts" 97.
Please note that while article provides information about laws states, it’s difficult to keep up-to -date with changes to states’ laws. Always
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