SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. — The debate over whether teachers should carry guns in schools in an effort to protect children could come up in Virginia. Spotsylvania County Supervisor Greg Cebula said he wanted to ask the Virginia General Assembly to study the issue during its upcoming session, according to a report on Fredericksburg.com.
“I’ll raise a subject that I know everybody will gasp at, but I’m a firm believer that teachers and people who are in the school administration who have concealed carry [permits] have the right to carry on the job,” Cebula said at a recent county meeting the newspaper reported. “And this would provide a much greater security venue than we currently have.”
Some schools in Virginia have resources officers who work to keep students safe, however Cebula said arming teachers would be a more cost-effective safety measure.
Spotsylvania Education Association President Peter Pfotenhauer told the newspaper he does not agree with the idea.
“We are there to nurture and support and educate and encourage,” he said, “It’s very difficult to do that if you are also there as the primary means of defense.”
A school district in Texas recently made headlines when it voted to let teachers carry guns in school. The sign posted on school campuses reads:
“Please be aware that the staff at Argyle ISD are armed and may use whatever force is necessary to protect our students.”
The Argyle Texas School District allows some teachers to carry guns on campus.
Teachers who carry guns must have and maintain a handgun license; pass a psychological evaluation; and undergo firearms and emergency response training.
