Texas School District Allows Teachers Armed With Guns in School With Community's Support

In the last couple of weeks, a Texas school district has allowed teachers armed with guns to report to classes and protect the students if necessary, and the initiative has the support of many parents in the community.

The Grand Saline Independent School District carried out its "Guardian Plan" to enable teachers to wear concealed weapons on the school premises. Superintendent Micah Lewis said that they did not enact this initiative without weighing the pros and cons and considering the inputs of the parents, the students, and the community.

Speaking with CBS19, Lewis understands that there may be questions about allowing teachers armed with guns in school. However, the most important thing is that their school community is behind the initiative.

"I think that handguns in schools are something that's necessary these days," Branda Hellums, a resident, said. Another local, Floy Davidson, echoed her sentiments, who noted that the teachers could protect the school and the kids.

Three Years to Enact the Guardian Plan

Lewis said that the Guardian Plan had been discussed in the school board meetings for the last three years, especially when a school shooting incident occurred in another place in the U.S. They have had debates raising the possibility of a "crazy person" launching an attack on the kids. The Grand Saline Independent School District has over 1,170 students.

The superintendent said that not all teachers or school staff will be allowed to bring firearms because they will still need to apply to the program and undergo extensive screening with the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Guardian Plan will have one police patrol officer for all school buildings.

A school staff who wants to be a guardian will need to undergo 40 hours of training before entering the program. They will also have to present a legitimate license to carry a gun. To maintain their status, the guardians will be required to have continuous gun safety training.

Lewis also said that no one would know who are the teachers armed with guns. The guardians are also not allowed to store their weapons in school.

The superintendent added that 95 percent of the community is behind the program, and those against it are outsiders.

Armed Teachers Legal in Texas

In 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into a law that would permit armed teachers in school who will also work with mental health counselors as part of the threat assessment teams. School districts are given a free hand on the number of armed teachers or school staff they could have on the campus.

The move comes a year after the horrific school shooting in Houston's Santa Fe High School, where eight students and two teachers died. Schools across the state were also issued metal detectors, new security doors, shooter alarm systems, and other protection.

The governor said that he's proud of the response of his fellow Texans after the Houston school shooting and vowed to make school safety a top priority in his governance.