The St. Helens School Board in Oregon lifted a ban that had prevented teachers with concealed carry permits from carrying their guns on campus.

School board chairman Marshall Porter said, “The current law in Oregon allows for anyone to concealed carry on school grounds. To exclude our staff seems like they’re being punished. They should have a right to protect themselves if they choose.”

According to ABC News, the decision impacts seven schools within the St. Helens School District. This includes “two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and three alternative schools.”

The school board voted four to one to allow teachers with concealed carry to keep their guns with them on campus.

Porter said he voted in the majority because he has kids in these schools and if “something was to happen, and there’s a chance that a teacher might be able to protect them, I’m fine with that.”

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.