JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- There's a new push to put guns in the hands of our children's teachers. The controversial proposal is in the Florida legislature right now.
Placing a gun in the hand of a trained teacher would put David Harper's mind at ease when sending his grandchildren off to school.
"Personally I'm for it," said Harper. "Having a defense at the school, some personnel."
As talks of tighter gun contol laws loom, a state lawmaker wants to arm teachers in our schools. Action News obtained HB 1097 School Safety Bill, filed by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota. It would allow principals or district superintendents to decide which teachers and staff can carry a concealed weapon on campus.
The bill would require district school boards to commission a school safety officer on each campus unless the principal for that school has determined a concealed weapon or firearm licensee to carry firearms on the property.
"I would not anticipate that we would participate in that," said St. Johns Co. School Board member, Bev Slough.
Slough is skeptical of the safety a gun-toting teacher could provide. District police at schools in St. Johns County are armed. That's why she isn't backing the "armed teachers" plan.
"I don't think that's a safe thing. I think we provide for the safety of our children in many, many other ways."
The bill mandates all armed staff members undergo firearms training. That's the reason Harper supports transforming teachers into school security.
"Highly qualified and highly trained, guns aren't for everybody."
