SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – In light of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting many conversations have started regarding how better to protect students and one of the ideas has been to arm teachers. Here in Utah, educators can already carry firearms into classrooms.
Granite School District Spokesperson Ben Horsley explained, “State law allows a teacher with a concealed carry permit to carry a weapon in our schools.”
Horsley couldn’t comment on how many teachers carry firearms but told ABC 4 News, “I know that they do exist.”
If a teacher has a permit and chooses to carry a weapon onto campus in the Granite School district they have to keep it on them at all times.
“They wouldn’t be able to put it in a desk, secure it or even lock it in that fashion,” said Horsley. “They would have to maintain it on their person.”
More educators in Utah are considering carrying firearms. The tactical gear company OPSGEAR is co-hosting a special course just for educators looking to get their concealed carry permit as well as better learning how to react in an emergency situation.
“Librarians, teachers, janitors, anyone who works at a school,” explained OPSGEAR CEO David Burnell of the upcoming event.
“It’s designed to give educators the opportunity to have a concealed permit if they chose to and to also learn the psychological responses…why does an attacker do what they do and why,” said Burnell.
Burnell explained that not everyone who’s attending the December 28th course is planning on bringing a concealed weapon to class.
“There’s a mixture of the group that’s going,” explained Burnell. “I think many of them want to have the option to carry, but I think they’re committed to the idea and I think that’s a healthy attitude.”
The class is still open to participants and OPSGEAR is also taking requests to come speak to schools individually. For more information log on to
www.opsgear.com
