Indiana lawmakers want to help teachers learn how to shoot guns
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A state lawmaker has a controversial approach to keeping kids safe at school.
He wants teachers to learn how to use a gun.
The state representative from Seymour said his bill would not require teachers to take handgun training but would allow the school district to tap into state money to pay for that training.
A year ago this week, a gunman killed 17 students and staff members at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
In May, a teenager shot a student and teacher inside Noblesville West Middle School.
“This gives the teachers, the staff, the school employee the ability to protect themselves in the horrible event of a school shooting,” said Republican state Rep. Jim Lucas.
Lucas said he believes the voluntary gun training would cost from roughly $1,500-$2,000 per person.
He argued it’s cheaper and more of a deterrent to put 45 staffers through a one-time training than it is to pay the roughly $70,000 annual salary of a school resource officer.
Under his bill, teachers would learn safe gun handling, storage and proper marksmanship.
But what happens if a teacher shoots a student?
Lucas said, “That’s something we’re going to have to look at. What happens if an SRO (student resource officer) shoots a student? That’s one of those things you pray never happens and you train for.”
Some people said they believe the bill is a shot in the dark at school security.
“For me,” Kathy Puentes-Rora, a parent, told lawmakers Monday, “I’d be very uncomfortable if there were teachers toting guns in my kid’s school.”
“House Bill 1253 proposes dangerously inadequate training and certification training for teachers and school personnel to carry handguns,” said DeeDee Bailey with the League of Women Voters in Henry County.
Others testified before lawmakers and said the bill’s right on target.
Kelly Meyers, who called himself an NRA volunteer, said he thinks the bill “provides for capability that can lead to real deterrents.”
Jeremy Gulley, the Jay County Schools superintendent, said his district already has trained employees, who can get to a gun stored in a biometrics safe in an emergency.
“In our rural school district, this is the last line of defense to protect innocent life and stop the carnage,” Gulley told lawmakers.
Though the bill passed the House Committee on Education on Monday, the conversation is not over. the measure will move to the House floor next.
Should the state of Indiana help pay for your child’s teacher to learn how to shoot guns? @wane15 @WEHTWTVWlocal @WISH_TV @wtwonews— David Williams (@DWilliamsTV) February 12, 2019