Watch CBS News

House 'Guns In School' Bill Clears Another Hurdle

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – A measure which would allow teachers and other school employees to have guns in schools has cleared another hurdle.

On the Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee passed it (HB1097) in an 11-7. Supporters will now try to get it to the full House before the close of the session on May 3rd.

Democrats voting against the bill were joined by Rep. Ray Pilon, a Sarasota Republican and retired law enforcement officer.

"I think before we start arming our teachers, and putting those in responsibility (of our children) in danger of perhaps being shot as well, that we need to debate it much more," Pilon said after the committee hearing.

The proposal would give public and private school principals the option to designate one or several school employees to carry concealed weapons on campus at all times. They would be required to complete the same training that's required of security guards in addition to the statewide firearms training. Principals could also decline the concealed weapons option altogether.

Rep. Greg Steube, the bill's lead sponsor, said arming teachers and other employees would give schools "a fighting chance" against intruders.

"At least allow people to have the opportunity to defend themselves," he said. "Because right now they can't."

Many Florida schools, especially elementary schools, aren't protected by school resource officers due to insufficient funding, Steube said. Arming selected school staff is a reasonable approach, he said, because many shootings are over within five to 15 minutes, meaning law enforcement would be unlikely to reach many schools in time to intervene, especially in rural areas.

The bill's opponents included groups representing Florida school boards and school administrators. Wayne Blanton, executive director of the Florida School Boards Association, said arming school staff would send the wrong message to impressionable students.

"They will say, 'Coach has a gun, why can't I have a gun?'" he said. "My teacher has a gun, I'll carry a gun, too.'"

Blanton said school boards support having police officers posted at schools. He said it's the goal of school boards across Florida to have an officer assigned to every school, with a marked squad car parked in front of the school.

The bill also drew a skeptical response when the issue arose earlier Tuesday during a meeting of the State Board of Education.

Paul Hackenberry, whose long career in security included a 28-year stint in the Secret Service, told the education board that arming teachers would be a mistake. Hackenberry, a teacher himself years ago, was invited to speak to the board about school security issues.

He said that proper training goes well beyond handling a weapon to include sessions on when it's justifiable to open fire.

"That judgment is a life-and-death decision, and you can't ever take it back once you pull the trigger," he said.

Afterward, State Board of Education Chairman Gary Chartrand sounded deeply skeptical about arming school personnel.

"It doesn't sound like a very good idea to me," he said.

Chartrand said the board wants state Education Commissioner Tony Bennett to put together a task force to look into developing minimum safety standards for schools. Responsibility for school safety is largely left to local districts, but the state board has a responsibility to provide basic guidelines, Chartrand said.

A similar bill introduced the Senate hasn't made any headway, with less than three weeks left in the session.

 

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.