Policy

States move to allow teachers to carry firearms

More than half of states now let them do so.
A balloon with names of the victims is seen at a memorial at the entrance to The Covenant School on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Republican lawmakers are advancing legislation in several states that would allow teachers and other trained school employees to carry firearms in schools, citing recent school shootings they say could have been stopped had someone shot back.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed legislation allowing school employees to obtain professional permits to carry firearms on school grounds. The law requires school employees and security officers who are armed to take an annual live scenario training course.

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