Sen. Don White proposes school gun measure
HARRISBURG — State Sen. Don White has twice introduced legislation that would allow teachers and staff to carry firearms in schools in certain circumstances. Now the tragic shooting in Parkland, Fla., may push the bill through.
White’s chief of staff, Joe Pittman, said on Monday that the bill has been introduced twice before, but failed in the state Senate.
“This third time is when the Senate passed it and advanced it to the House,” Pittman said. “Obviously the tragedy in Parkland has caused people to start taking a harder look at these options.”
Sen. White represents part of Butler County in the state Senate.
His bill, which passed the Senate 28-22, is now in the House Education Committee. It will remain active there until Dec. 1.
White’s bill seeks to clarify the authority of school boards regarding allowing certain school employees to carry firearms on school property to further enhance school security.
The bill establishes a framework for school districts looking to arm certain employees and allowing those employees access to firearms in school safety zones if authorized by the school board, licensed to carry a weapon and have met certain training requirements in the use and handling of firearms.
“This bill would provide another option for schools — especially those in rural areas — by providing a quick response to school shootings and improving the safety and security of our children, teachers and school staff,” White said in a memorandum.
Read more about Sen. White’s bill in Tuesday’s Butler Eagle.
