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Schools lift up and educate our youth. Presidents, senators, firefighters, and even great NBA centers, they all start right there in our schools. School is basically a student’s second home, which means administrators must make sure that safety is a top priority. Although school shootings have persisted throughout the country’s history, they came to be considered a serious public issue in the late ‘90s. Since then the question of school safety has been at the forefront of public conversation. Especially in the wake of the tragic 2012 school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut and at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, school districts have struggled to agree on effective ways of keeping students and staff safe while on school property. With an eye toward how to best keep students safe, some politicians have even begun to consider the idea of arming teachers.
The alarming amount of mass shootings at schools has prompted state legislators to discuss measures on how or whether to allow concealed carry in schools and renewed concerns over school safety have led to gun advocates campaigning for arming school staff. While this idea has its opponents as well as its supporters, most states have not adopted measures allowing concealed carry in schools.
THE STATE OF CONCEALED CARRYING IN INDIVIDUAL STATES
Some states are taking back from school official’s the ability to regulate firearms on school campuses. In states like Oklahoma and West Virginia, legislation could soon take away a school’s power in regulating the carrying of concealed weapons on college campuses. This law would allow for exceptions in special areas such as large arenas, daycares, and law enforcement zones. Other states have also taken steps to remove restrictions on concealed carrying on college campuses.
Kentucky has pending legislation that could remove all requirements for obtaining a permit to carry a concealed weapon for persons over the age of 21. If this legislation passes, it would make Kentucky the 12th state to allow constitutional carry. Another Kentucky bill could allow persons with valid concealed weapons licenses or temporary permits to carry on public secondary properties and in state and local government-controlled buildings except in courtrooms and detention facilities.
Two states are considering passing legislation that would allow public schools and campuses to designate one or more full-time faculty or staff members to volunteer as unpaid campus protection officers in addition to their regular duties. These persons would be authorized to carry concealed firearms (if they have a permit to carry a concealed weapon) on campus.
In 2017, Georgia passed a new campus carry law and in that same year Arkansas expanded its own campus carry law. At the moment, 10 states allow concealed weapons on some or all campuses and 23 states leave that decision to individual campuses. 14 other states have recently considered campus carry legislation, although these bills did not make it into law. Below we’ll look deeper into the state of state campus carry laws.
State Laws on Campus Concealed Carry
In some states, firearms are regularly permitted in educational institutions. In Utah and Arkansas, public colleges and universities allow individuals holding the necessary permits to carry a concealed gun on campus and within campus buildings. In Tennessee, full-time employees may carry concealed weapons in these establishments. Some states also give schools a certain measure of autonomy in regulating carry laws on their campuses. In Wisconsin and Kansas, public institutions have the option to prohibit guns in specific buildings, but carry is to be allowed elsewhere on campus. It’s required that schools implement certain security measures such as metal detectors and armed security guards in any building where firearms are prohibited.
When wondering how to concealed carry in schools, you’ll also probably be thinking about sporting events. Some states do prohibit concealed carrying at sporting events, such as Arkansas and Georgia. In Georgia, although firearms are not allowed at sporting events themselves, the law allows concealed handguns to be carried during tailgating.
THE DEBATE ABOUT CAMPUS CONCEALED CARRY
Supporters of Campus Concealed Carry
The idea of school concealed carry has long been a subject of debate. One person who supports the call to arm school personnel is US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who believes that districts should be given the flexibility to use Federal funds to arm their teachers. Many believe that trained volunteer teachers should be provided access to guns, though these should be used only as a last line of defense. DeVos leads a commission tasked to examine ways to protect schools. This commission will investigate the possibility of arming teachers and schools.
US President Donald Trump is also in favor of providing teachers with training and weapons in order to protect their students during an active shooting scenario. Gun rights advocates have long pushed for legislation that will allow educators to carry weapons. It is also worth noting that concealed carrying in schools is already practiced in some US states. Although most schools are “gun-free zones,” the Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act allows states to authorize certain individuals to carry firearms on school grounds. To date, there are already 15 states that allow some sort of concealed carry in schools.
Opponents of Campus Concealed Carry
School administrators should take into account several factors when considering how to concealed carry in schools, such as:
Who is authorized to carry a firearm?
Where should guns be stored?
Should armed employees get some sort of bonus?
And, of course, there is the question of liability. Who is responsible if something goes wrong? A teacher could accidentally shoot an innocent bystander during an active shooter situation. A teacher’s concealed firearm could be found or stolen by a student. The weapon could accidentally discharge and injure someone. When thinking about campus concealed carry it’s important to consider these possibilities.
Another problem with school concealed carry is that it could be expensive. For instance, a high-quality semi-automatic pistol could run anywhere from $500 to $1,200. Training costs would add even more to this price tag.
It’s worth noting that research does not seem to support campus concealed carry and that allowing individuals to carry weapons on campus is not an effective way of preventing mass shootings. In fact, concealed carrying in schools may likely be the cause of violent outcomes. Research by scholars at Johns Hopkins University considered how the access to guns on campus may provide easier access to firearms to individuals with suicidal tendencies. Young people (the majority of people attending schools) are more susceptible to suicidal behavior than other groups.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins further revealed that campus gun deaths are more likely to be linked to domestic violence or personal disputes than those that occur off-campus. Instead of being an effective deterrent to violence, concealed carrying in schools may be more likely to put people at risk. Several universities in campus carry states have challenged state laws and the common sentiment among higher education institutions is that campus concealed carry will not make their campuses safer.
LAWS ON CONCEALED CARRY IN SCHOOLS
Learning how to concealed carry in schools is tricky, and the fact that many children will be affected by their choice to do so means that potential carriers should take great care. Laws on carrying concealed firearms vary by state but there are some general laws that apply across the board:
Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990
Signed into law by President George H. W. Bush, the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 made it illegal for individuals to knowingly bring a firearm onto school premises. According to this law it was also illegal to carry a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone. This law was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1995 but was then re-enacted in a more limited version in 1996. This second version of the law gave more authority to individual states with respect to school concealed carry.
Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994
Signed by President Bill Clinton, the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994 required all states that receive Federal educational funds to enact laws to enforce the expulsion from school of any students bringing a weapon onto school premises for at least one year. This act focuses on students of a school district, rather than on other members of the public. This act was part of the larger Improving America’s Schools Act.
State Level Legislation
Currently, most states prohibit firearms on school premises regardless of permits. At the time of writing, however, 18 states do allow the carry of firearms on school grounds. Note that even in these states written permission for carrying on school grounds is required from the principal, superintendent, or other school authorities before an individual is allowed to do so. Without this written permission, carrying in schools will still be considered illegal.
University Campuses
In some states universities are treated the same way K-12 schools are treated while in other states universities are considered as different types of entities. Therefore certain states apply the general law prohibiting firearms on school property to university campuses. In other states, since universities are not grouped in with K-12 school laws, there is nothing in state laws to prohibit firearms on university property. In many states universities themselves regulate their own restrictions on firearms.
There are currently 10 states with universities that allow campus concealed carry. Campus concealed carry is prohibited in the other 40 states either due to state law or university regulations. Keep in mind that just because a state does not prohibit the concealed carry of firearms on university campuses that such carrying still may be restricted. State law might deem that the choice of permitting such carry is left up to individual universities. Always check a university’s policies before attempting to bring a firearm onto campus.
TIPS ON CAMPUS SAFETY
Although they are considered as safe zones, violence still happens on school campuses. According to a report by The Washington Post, an average of 10 school shootings per year have occurred since the 1999 Columbine shooting. The lowest recorded number of school shootings in one year during this period was 5 in 2002 and the highest recorded number was 15 in 2014. At least 130 people including children, educators, staff, and family members have been killed in assaults during school hours with 254 people also suffering injuries in these attacks. Schools in the District of Columbia as well as 36 other states have experienced school shootings.
Teachers and other school personnel play a crucial role in preventing violence inside their schools. Keeping in mind that school concealed carry should always be the last option for defense, here are some tips on how teachers and school staff can help prevent school violence.
Involve Yourself Beyond the Classroom
Teachers are already responsible for so many things so it’s important that other members of the community also need to be vigilant and take care to help young people. That being said, we’re talking about schools. While most teachers take responsibility for what happens inside the classroom, some also find time to involve themselves in their students’ lives beyond the classroom door. In the interest of safety, these teachers keep their eyes and ears open and enforce school policy when needed. If they hear a group of students cursing or teasing another student, they intervene right away. Remember that school violence can be caused by off-campus issues. If you are not a teacher or school staff member, you can still try to help children in your community.
Do Not Allow Inappropriate Talk
Implement this right off the bat. Come down hard on students who say prejudicial comments or use stereotypes when talking about people or groups. Make it clear that there is no place for this type of ideology either in the classroom or in polite society. Instill kindness in your students and empower those who are inclusive.
Listen to Idle Chatter
Children often know more than teachers about other students’ plans and opinions. Keep in mind that students have less privacy rights on campus than off-campus, regardless of those rights laid out in the 4th Amendment. Students and school staff members should keep up a good rapport with their students and if something seems dangerous or alarming they should consider investigating.
Get Involved with Student-Led Anti-Violence Organizations
If your school hosts an anti-violence forum, consider joining and helping. If such a program does not exist, you can ask staff and students if they would like to create one. These types of organizations can raise awareness, educate, and raise funds for safety initiatives.
Educate Yourself on Warning Signs
There are warning signs you should be aware of before actual acts of violence occur. These could be personality traits such as a lack of remorse or anger due to personal trauma. Remember that such issues are best addressed by health care professionals or therapists. Signs of possible violent ideation may include the following:
Sudden lack of interest in friends or activities
Obsessions with violent games or weapons
Depression and mood swings
Writing that shows despair and isolation
Lack of anger management skills
Talking about death or bringing weapons to school
Violence towards animals
Discuss Violence Prevention with Students
Depending on school policy, you may be able to mention these warning signs and talk to students about what they should do if they know someone who has a weapon or is planning violent acts. It might be a good idea to make resources available to all students who may be suffering from trauma or depression. Many schools also plan and carry out school shooter safety drills, which is something else for you to consider.
So what do you think? Do you agree with allowing concealed carrying in schools? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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How to Concealed Carry in Schools: School Concealed Carry
The GMW Concealed Carry Gun Pack. Now available now on Amazon.com.
BUY NOW
BUY NOW
Schools lift up and educate our youth. Presidents, senators, firefighters, and even great NBA centers, they all start right there in our schools. School is basically a student’s second home, which means administrators must make sure that safety is a top priority. Although school shootings have persisted throughout the country’s history, they came to be considered a serious public issue in the late ‘90s. Since then the question of school safety has been at the forefront of public conversation. Especially in the wake of the tragic 2012 school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut and at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, school districts have struggled to agree on effective ways of keeping students and staff safe while on school property. With an eye toward how to best keep students safe, some politicians have even begun to consider the idea of arming teachers.
The alarming amount of mass shootings at schools has prompted state legislators to discuss measures on how or whether to allow concealed carry in schools and renewed concerns over school safety have led to gun advocates campaigning for arming school staff. While this idea has its opponents as well as its supporters, most states have not adopted measures allowing concealed carry in schools.
THE STATE OF CONCEALED CARRYING IN INDIVIDUAL STATES
Some states are taking back from school official’s the ability to regulate firearms on school campuses. In states like Oklahoma and West Virginia, legislation could soon take away a school’s power in regulating the carrying of concealed weapons on college campuses. This law would allow for exceptions in special areas such as large arenas, daycares, and law enforcement zones. Other states have also taken steps to remove restrictions on concealed carrying on college campuses.
Kentucky has pending legislation that could remove all requirements for obtaining a permit to carry a concealed weapon for persons over the age of 21. If this legislation passes, it would make Kentucky the 12th state to allow constitutional carry. Another Kentucky bill could allow persons with valid concealed weapons licenses or temporary permits to carry on public secondary properties and in state and local government-controlled buildings except in courtrooms and detention facilities.
Two states are considering passing legislation that would allow public schools and campuses to designate one or more full-time faculty or staff members to volunteer as unpaid campus protection officers in addition to their regular duties. These persons would be authorized to carry concealed firearms (if they have a permit to carry a concealed weapon) on campus.
In 2017, Georgia passed a new campus carry law and in that same year Arkansas expanded its own campus carry law. At the moment, 10 states allow concealed weapons on some or all campuses and 23 states leave that decision to individual campuses. 14 other states have recently considered campus carry legislation, although these bills did not make it into law. Below we’ll look deeper into the state of state campus carry laws.
State Laws on Campus Concealed Carry
In some states, firearms are regularly permitted in educational institutions. In Utah and Arkansas, public colleges and universities allow individuals holding the necessary permits to carry a concealed gun on campus and within campus buildings. In Tennessee, full-time employees may carry concealed weapons in these establishments. Some states also give schools a certain measure of autonomy in regulating carry laws on their campuses. In Wisconsin and Kansas, public institutions have the option to prohibit guns in specific buildings, but carry is to be allowed elsewhere on campus. It’s required that schools implement certain security measures such as metal detectors and armed security guards in any building where firearms are prohibited.
When wondering how to concealed carry in schools, you’ll also probably be thinking about sporting events. Some states do prohibit concealed carrying at sporting events, such as Arkansas and Georgia. In Georgia, although firearms are not allowed at sporting events themselves, the law allows concealed handguns to be carried during tailgating.
THE DEBATE ABOUT CAMPUS CONCEALED CARRY
Supporters of Campus Concealed Carry
The idea of school concealed carry has long been a subject of debate. One person who supports the call to arm school personnel is US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who believes that districts should be given the flexibility to use Federal funds to arm their teachers. Many believe that trained volunteer teachers should be provided access to guns, though these should be used only as a last line of defense. DeVos leads a commission tasked to examine ways to protect schools. This commission will investigate the possibility of arming teachers and schools.
US President Donald Trump is also in favor of providing teachers with training and weapons in order to protect their students during an active shooting scenario. Gun rights advocates have long pushed for legislation that will allow educators to carry weapons. It is also worth noting that concealed carrying in schools is already practiced in some US states. Although most schools are “gun-free zones,” the Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act allows states to authorize certain individuals to carry firearms on school grounds. To date, there are already 15 states that allow some sort of concealed carry in schools.
Opponents of Campus Concealed Carry
School administrators should take into account several factors when considering how to concealed carry in schools, such as:
And, of course, there is the question of liability. Who is responsible if something goes wrong? A teacher could accidentally shoot an innocent bystander during an active shooter situation. A teacher’s concealed firearm could be found or stolen by a student. The weapon could accidentally discharge and injure someone. When thinking about campus concealed carry it’s important to consider these possibilities.
Another problem with school concealed carry is that it could be expensive. For instance, a high-quality semi-automatic pistol could run anywhere from $500 to $1,200. Training costs would add even more to this price tag.
It’s worth noting that research does not seem to support campus concealed carry and that allowing individuals to carry weapons on campus is not an effective way of preventing mass shootings. In fact, concealed carrying in schools may likely be the cause of violent outcomes. Research by scholars at Johns Hopkins University considered how the access to guns on campus may provide easier access to firearms to individuals with suicidal tendencies. Young people (the majority of people attending schools) are more susceptible to suicidal behavior than other groups.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins further revealed that campus gun deaths are more likely to be linked to domestic violence or personal disputes than those that occur off-campus. Instead of being an effective deterrent to violence, concealed carrying in schools may be more likely to put people at risk. Several universities in campus carry states have challenged state laws and the common sentiment among higher education institutions is that campus concealed carry will not make their campuses safer.
LAWS ON CONCEALED CARRY IN SCHOOLS
Learning how to concealed carry in schools is tricky, and the fact that many children will be affected by their choice to do so means that potential carriers should take great care. Laws on carrying concealed firearms vary by state but there are some general laws that apply across the board:
Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990
Signed into law by President George H. W. Bush, the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 made it illegal for individuals to knowingly bring a firearm onto school premises. According to this law it was also illegal to carry a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone. This law was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1995 but was then re-enacted in a more limited version in 1996. This second version of the law gave more authority to individual states with respect to school concealed carry.
Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994
Signed by President Bill Clinton, the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994 required all states that receive Federal educational funds to enact laws to enforce the expulsion from school of any students bringing a weapon onto school premises for at least one year. This act focuses on students of a school district, rather than on other members of the public. This act was part of the larger Improving America’s Schools Act.
State Level Legislation
Currently, most states prohibit firearms on school premises regardless of permits. At the time of writing, however, 18 states do allow the carry of firearms on school grounds. Note that even in these states written permission for carrying on school grounds is required from the principal, superintendent, or other school authorities before an individual is allowed to do so. Without this written permission, carrying in schools will still be considered illegal.
University Campuses
In some states universities are treated the same way K-12 schools are treated while in other states universities are considered as different types of entities. Therefore certain states apply the general law prohibiting firearms on school property to university campuses. In other states, since universities are not grouped in with K-12 school laws, there is nothing in state laws to prohibit firearms on university property. In many states universities themselves regulate their own restrictions on firearms.
There are currently 10 states with universities that allow campus concealed carry. Campus concealed carry is prohibited in the other 40 states either due to state law or university regulations. Keep in mind that just because a state does not prohibit the concealed carry of firearms on university campuses that such carrying still may be restricted. State law might deem that the choice of permitting such carry is left up to individual universities. Always check a university’s policies before attempting to bring a firearm onto campus.
TIPS ON CAMPUS SAFETY
Although they are considered as safe zones, violence still happens on school campuses. According to a report by The Washington Post, an average of 10 school shootings per year have occurred since the 1999 Columbine shooting. The lowest recorded number of school shootings in one year during this period was 5 in 2002 and the highest recorded number was 15 in 2014. At least 130 people including children, educators, staff, and family members have been killed in assaults during school hours with 254 people also suffering injuries in these attacks. Schools in the District of Columbia as well as 36 other states have experienced school shootings.
Teachers and other school personnel play a crucial role in preventing violence inside their schools. Keeping in mind that school concealed carry should always be the last option for defense, here are some tips on how teachers and school staff can help prevent school violence.
Involve Yourself Beyond the Classroom
Teachers are already responsible for so many things so it’s important that other members of the community also need to be vigilant and take care to help young people. That being said, we’re talking about schools. While most teachers take responsibility for what happens inside the classroom, some also find time to involve themselves in their students’ lives beyond the classroom door. In the interest of safety, these teachers keep their eyes and ears open and enforce school policy when needed. If they hear a group of students cursing or teasing another student, they intervene right away. Remember that school violence can be caused by off-campus issues. If you are not a teacher or school staff member, you can still try to help children in your community.
Do Not Allow Inappropriate Talk
Implement this right off the bat. Come down hard on students who say prejudicial comments or use stereotypes when talking about people or groups. Make it clear that there is no place for this type of ideology either in the classroom or in polite society. Instill kindness in your students and empower those who are inclusive.
Listen to Idle Chatter
Children often know more than teachers about other students’ plans and opinions. Keep in mind that students have less privacy rights on campus than off-campus, regardless of those rights laid out in the 4th Amendment. Students and school staff members should keep up a good rapport with their students and if something seems dangerous or alarming they should consider investigating.
Get Involved with Student-Led Anti-Violence Organizations
If your school hosts an anti-violence forum, consider joining and helping. If such a program does not exist, you can ask staff and students if they would like to create one. These types of organizations can raise awareness, educate, and raise funds for safety initiatives.
Educate Yourself on Warning Signs
There are warning signs you should be aware of before actual acts of violence occur. These could be personality traits such as a lack of remorse or anger due to personal trauma. Remember that such issues are best addressed by health care professionals or therapists. Signs of possible violent ideation may include the following:
Discuss Violence Prevention with Students
Depending on school policy, you may be able to mention these warning signs and talk to students about what they should do if they know someone who has a weapon or is planning violent acts. It might be a good idea to make resources available to all students who may be suffering from trauma or depression. Many schools also plan and carry out school shooter safety drills, which is something else for you to consider.
So what do you think? Do you agree with allowing concealed carrying in schools? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.