A recent bill put forward by the Ohio Senate has recently passed with a 21 to 10 vote. Senate Bill 317 would allow school personnel like teachers to be armed while inside school if it is authorized by the local school board.

Ohio Bill Allowing the Arming of Teachers Passes State Senate

Ohio state law currently prohibits anyone who has not obtained basic peace officer training from entering a school safety zone while being armed. According to the Ohio Capital Journal, Senator Bill Coley has praised the passing of the bill through the senate commenting that the bill “fixes an abomination of the law.”

Photo: The New American

Coley went on further to state:

If you’re the guidance counselor in the school and you’re a former Navy SEAL, or you’re the gym teacher or history teacher in the school and you’re former special forces, it might not be the worst idea for the school district to let you carry a firearm if you’re willing,

Local firearms organizations like the Buckeye Firearms Association has shown strong support for the bill and also aims to alleviate concerns of citizens who feel that untrained armed personnel pose more of a risk than a deterrent. The Association currently offers a 26-hour firearms training program exclusive to school personnel.

However, despite the bill being passed in the Senate, it will still continue to be fought in the courts while the bill moves onto the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration. This has often been a hotly debated topic even among pro second amendment groups.

Photo: Buckeye Firearms Association

There can definitely be arguments made on each side of the subject and I am interested to see where you all stand with the concept of armed school personnel. Should teachers and school counselors be armed? If so, should the schools require training or is having firearms inside of school premises too much of a risk to teachers and students? I’m looking forward to your comments down below.