Will lawmakers arm teachers in Mississippi classrooms? Senate panel votes to do so

The state Senate will soon vote on a bill to arm teachers in Mississippi classrooms after a committee overhauled a controversial House bill that would allow guns in stadiums and other currently restricted areas on public universities.

The Senate overhaul of House Bill 1083 would allow teachers and professors who receive enhanced law-enforcement training of 12 hours every two years and who have an enhanced concealed carry permit to carry concealed weapons in schools. The measure would apply to public and private K-12 schools and public universities and community colleges. It would not be mandatory - local school boards would first have to approve a policy.

Senate Judiciary A Chairman Briggs Hopson, R- Vicksburg, offered the amendment in his committee.

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"People have been massacred in schools," Hopson said. "This is an opportunity to allow schools in Mississippi the discretion to determine if they want to start a safety program that could potentially have armed, well-trained staff members."

Hopson, a school board attorney, said a teacher who uses a weapon under the measure also would have immunity from liability if the teacher was in fear of his or her life.

The committee also addressed concerns of higher education officials who voiced opposition against the state prohibiting universities from limiting where guns are allowed. The amended bill would allow universities and colleges to have policies to prohibit guns at stadiums and sporting events. They have been doing so for years, although a law passed in 2011 allows enhanced concealed carry permit holders to carry guns on university campuses and in stadiums during sporting events.

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Rep. Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, author of the original House bill and much of the gun rights legislation passed in recent years, said he supports Senate changes that allows for arming staff and providing immunity, but he would not comment on the university stadiums and sporting events changes.

"I commend the Senate for acting on this important public safety issue," Gipson said. "I am still reviewing the other amendments made to the bill."

Gipson said enhanced concealed carry permit holders in Mississippi already can carry guns on school grounds, but that many schools do not allow their employees to do so.

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves voiced his support for the amended bill, particularly allowing teachers to carry guns in schools.

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"The safety of our students while in the classroom should never be in question, but that is not a given in today's schools, unfortunately," Reeves said. "By allowing more school staff to receive proper training on how to respond to immediate threats, I hope we can avoid the tragedies we've seen on campuses around the country and in Mississippi."

Reeves said the measure is an expansion of the Mississippi Community Oriented Policing Services program, which passed in 2013. That program matched local funds to place more trained officers in public schools around the state.

Mississippi Association of Educators President Joyce Helmick said having more guns in schools isn't the answer.

"We are opposed to any bill to arm teachers," Helmick said. "Let teachers teach and let law enforcement do their job."

Staff writer Bracey Harris contributed to this report.