(Newser) – South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed a law today that will allow the state's teachers and volunteer "school sentinels" to pack heat in the classroom. While other states have laws that in theory might allow teachers to be armed, South Dakota is believed to be the first to specifically allow it, the New York Times reports. About two dozen other states are considering similar measures.

The law was hotly debated in the legislature, with opponents calling it dangerous, but proponents saying it would give small, far-flung schools with no nearby police departments a way to protect themselves, according to the Argus-Leader. Each school will also be able to opt out of the "sentinels" program if it wishes. (Read more gun control stories.)

