While many Democratic-led states are pushing to eliminate assault weapons altogether, Republicans are fighting to keep the Second Amendment alive and protected.
A modern law went into effect in Ohio this week that allows teachers, principals and school staff to carry firearms during classes.
Bill No. 99 will require only 24 hours of training, down from the previous 700 hours, followed by eight hours of annual retraining. School personnel will also be required to undergo annual criminal background checks.
“We have a lot of requests from schools to make this possible,” Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) said, adding, “to continue to help our public and private schools get the tools they need to protect our kids. … We have an obligation to do everything we can, every single day, to try to protect our kids.”
The training will also cover topics such as stopping a shooter, de-escalation techniques and first aid.
DeWine made clear that the bill does not require teachers to carry weapons, but leaves the decision up to local school districts, which can also require staff to undergo more than 24 hours of training.
Rep. Thomas Hall (R-OH) introduced the bill, saying it is necessary when it could take too long for emergency responders to arrive at the scene of an accident.
“Some inner-city schools have police officers, some rural schools do not have that luxury,” Hall said in a statement.
Historically, firearms have been prohibited within school security zones except by individuals employed as security officers or others with written authorization from the board of education.
Additionally, DeWine secured $100 million to support Ohio K-12 schools pay for security upgrades such as visitor badge systems, security training and door locking systems
Governor DeWine talks about school security improvements as well as HB 99 which gives teachers the ability to carry guns in schools. @wsyx6 photo:twitter.com/ESZb0XKLXf
— Alexis Moberger (@alexis_moberger) June 13, 2022
