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Editor’s Note: Today’s article is Part 2 of a three-part series focusing on the funding and firearms training of teachers and school employees. Tomorrow the Reporter will publish comments from local law enforcement leaders concerning their thoughts on House Bill 1253 and arming school employees.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick recently stated, “Allowing teachers the option to carry guns into our schools is not the solution. While there is room for tactically trained individuals, such as law enforcement and school resource officers, the idea to arm all of our teachers often creates more risks than rewards.”
Currently Indiana law permits school teachers, with school board approval, to carry firearms into classrooms.
Now House Bill 1253, which overwhelmingly passed the House and is waiting for Senate approval, would provide funds to train teachers on how to use a firearm.
Schaibley
State Representative Donna Schaibley told the Reporter, “Under current law, school boards already have the authority to decide whether specific teachers or administrators can carry a firearm on school property. This is not mandatory, and the vast majority of schools throughout the state still do not allow firearms. However, if a school is going to permit firearms, it is important for staff to have the opportunity to receive appropriate training.” Schaibley represents portions of Clay Township, Washington Township and Adams Township in Hamilton County.
The Indiana State Teachers Association recently released a statement that said, “Arming educators sends a signal that we are giving up and accepting this crisis as the new reality. Instead of arming educators with guns, lawmakers should start by arming our schools with more psychologists and counselors so kids dealing with trauma get care before they become broken. Educators need to be focused on teaching our students. Together – parents, educators, lawmakers, community leaders – need to come up with real solutions that really will save lives.”
Cook
State Representative Tony Cook said, “This bill keeps school safety decisions at the local level while giving them more flexibility to apply state grant money to upgrade security. If schools choose to allow educators and administrators to carry firearms on school grounds, they may apply these grant dollars toward a national certification firearm training program. This is a common sense and responsible option for local schools where staff are permitted to carry.” Cook represents northern Hamilton County and is also the former Hamilton Heights School Superintendent.
House Bill 1253 would not require teachers and school employees to complete a firearms course; however, it does outline a course of instruction and pays for school employees to receive the training.
House Bill 1253 also requires the identity of school employees taking the course to be kept confidential.
Goodrich
“In the event of an active shooter, response time is critical. It can sometimes take officers up to 10 minutes to arrive at the scene in some rural communities, where officers may be more spread out,” said Representative Chuck Goodrich from Noblesville. “If there is someone already on location that is trained and legally permitted to carry a firearm, they should be able to take action and defend their students, co-workers and themselves.”
House Bill 1253 was authored by Representative Jim Lucas (R-Seymour).
Lucas told the Reporter’s newsgathering partner, WISH-TV, “This will provide teachers and staff the opportunity to be able to defend themselves. Not just themselves, but their students as well. A last line of defense, so to speak, in the horrible event of an active shooting scenario.”