In a move that has sparked fervent debate across the political spectrum, Utah Governor Spencer Cox has signed a bill that seeks to encourage teachers in the state to carry firearms by funding their firearms training. The legislation arrives on the heels of a previous state law that waived concealed-carry permit fees for educators, an additional incentive for teachers to bring guns into their classrooms.
The newly approved bill, known as HB 119, funds annual training for teachers on how to respond to active threats and safely handle firearms within a school environment. The state of Utah will shoulder the cost, which is estimated to be around $100,000 annually. Local county sheriffs will be responsible for appointing instructors to lead the courses, and participating teachers are expected to retake the training each year.
Those who opt into the program will also receive legal protection as the bill shields participating teachers from civil liability when using a gun in school, provided they act “in good faith” and avoid gross negligence. This legal immunity also extends to school districts in cases where a teacher who has undergone the program discharges a weapon on school property.
“We worked closely with the department of public safety to make sure we have all the necessary safeguards in place in this bill,” Cox’s office said in a statement. “We all want schools where our kids are safe and can thrive.”
Utah’s educational institutions have fortunately remained free from any incidents of mass shootings. However, it is disheartening to note that in January 2022, a tragic event unfolded outside a high school where two students lost their lives and another was injured due to gun violence inflicted by a 14-year-old perpetrator. In the subsequent year, a distressing series of automated hoax calls falsely reporting active shooters targeted multiple schools.
Teachers who decide not to carry the firearm themselves while participating in the program will need to store it in a biometric gun safe. This safe utilizes distinct biological information, such as a fingerprint or retinal scan, to confirm the owner’s identity. The teachers will be responsible for covering the cost of the storage device.
However, opponents of the bill are vocal in their concerns, indicating a potentially increased risk by introducing more guns into schools. Critics like Jaden Christensen, a volunteer with the Utah chapter of Moms Demand Action, argue the focus should be on “finding ways to keep guns out of the wrong hands and out of the classroom – not inviting them into our schools.”
Moreover, some educators, including retired public school teacher and U.S. Army veteran Stan Holmes, doubt the adequacy of the proposed half-day training. Holmes, who has experienced tactical training offered by the state, referred to it as “a joke” and left unconvinced “that all graduates could handle themselves in a crisis situation.” This sentiment resonates with those who fear that the program may not sufficiently prepare teachers for the gravity and unpredictability of actual emergency scenarios.
Relevant articles:
– Utah governor signs bill encouraging teachers to carry guns in classrooms
– Utah governor mulls measure that would fund firearms training for teachers, The Associated Press, Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT
– Utah bill encouraging teachers to get firearms training, carry on campus passes legislature, Fox News, Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT
– Utah governor mulls measure that would fund firearms training for teachers, Yahoo News Canada, Mon, 04 Mar 2024 22:39:34 GMT