One of the bills making past the deadline last week was House Bill 2336 which would allow local school boards to authorize trained personnel to carry a handgun on school property. The person must hold a valid reserve peace officer certification or a valid handgun license.
The bill’s author Representative Sean Roberts believes the measure will give school districts more choices in making security decisions.
“Having someone onsite who can respond to a potentially dangerous situation is critical,” Roberts said. “This legislation is especially important in our rural areas, where law enforcement is sometimes half an hour away when they receive a call. I was glad to work with county sheriffs on this bill and I’m grateful for their leadership and expertise in this area.”
HB 2336 won House approval by a vote of 72 to 25. A Senate committee assignment is the next stop for the bill.
