Guns in Texas Schools

by David Safier

It looks like Arizona has lost its chance for a national spotlight on allowing guns in schools. Texas beat us to it.

A tiny district will allow teachers and staff members to carry concealed firearms to deter and protect against school shootings when classes begin this month, provided the gun-toting employees follow certain requirements.

The small community of Harrold in northern Texas, about 30 miles northwest of Wichita Falls,. is a 30-minute drive from the Wilbarger County Sheriff’s Office, leaving students and teachers without protection, said David Thweatt, superintendent of the Harrold Independent School District. The lone campus of the 110-student district sits near a heavily traveled highway, which could make it a target, he argued.

“Teachers and staff members.” Which includes, who? Custodians? Cafeteria workers? Bus drivers?

For employees to carry a pistol, they must have a Texas license to carry a concealed handgun; must be authorized to carry by the district; must receive training in crisis management and hostile situations; and must have ammunition designed to minimize the risk of ricocheting bullets.

I guess all that crisis training will guarantee against an employee panicking and brandishing a weapon at the wrong time. And having a concealed weapons license means the employee will keep in constant practice and have a marksman’s aim. Right?

What could go wrong?