It took almost thirty years to enact at least some form of concealed carry in every state in the nation. Of course, even with carry laws, most states designated their schools so-called “gun-free” zones. Over the last few years though, measures allowing licensed and trained good guys to carry in schools have expanded greatly. In fact, in just the last two months, three more states have enacted these policies, helping to keep kids safe.

Prohibitions on guns in schools came about during the 1980s “War on Drugs.” In the decades prior to that, no doubt many of our older readers can remember school rifle teams practicing and competing after school. I brought my Ruger 10/22 in for a gun safety presentation in my Speech Communication class in high school. Yes, in Illinois. The teacher asked that I bring no ammunition and take it back out to the car after class. No big deal, right?

Today, certainly cultural issues remain, working against efforts to allow good guys to carry in schools. Of course, the legacy media remain staunchly opposed. Time Magazine had this to say about teachers and guns:

Teachers Are Overwhelmingly Opposed to Carrying Guns in Schools, Says Survey Nearly 75% of teachers oppose the idea of being trained to carry guns in schools, a new survey finds. According to an online Gallup survey released Friday, 63% surveyed strongly opposed the idea of arming teachers, with 10% somewhat opposing the measure. Only 11% strongly favored the idea, and 7% were neutral. Yet just 18% of the teachers surveyed said they would go through training to carry a gun if their district or administrators provided it. Meanwhile, six in 10 teachers think schools would become less safe if educators armed themselves, though seven in 10 think it would in effective in stopping the next mass shooting.

But even some of those traditionally opposed to gun ownership recognize how guns save life. They know how the only thing that stops a bad person with evil in their hearts is a good guy with a gun. Even Time Magazine acknowledged that 70% of educators believed armed good guys in their school would help save lives from a spree killer.

As we have seen in just the past week, armed good guys in schools have prevented or ended two school massacres. Unlike Parkland, Florida, a Dixon, IL school resource officer engaged a would-be mass murderer.

The bad guy walked into the Dixon High School gymnasium at a graduation rehearsal. Cops say Matthew Milby brought a handgun to the early morning event and began shooting. Officer Scott Dallas challenged Milby and shot down the attacker as they traded gunfire. A few days later, Officer Dallas received a lengthy, emotional standing ovation from the graduating class and parents.

Unfortunately, in Santa Fe, Texas, it took a few minutes for two good guys on the school grounds to engage the killer. However, once they arrived, the spree killing stopped. By providing armed resistance to the Texas shooter’s spree, they no doubt saved many additional lives. Of course, if more teachers had guns, the Texas story might have looked more like Dixon’s.

In the past two months, Wyoming, Georgia, and Florida have begun allowing school staff to carry. Applicants usually complete a selection process by their local school boards and law enforcement. Upon selection, they typically receive additional training before carrying on campus.

If your state doesn’t yet have provisions for school staff and administrators to carry, it’s time to contact your state officials. If your state does allow campus carry, but your local schools still prohibit it, it’s time to lobby your school board. The lives you save might be your kids’ or grandchildren’s.