Politics & Government
Bill Would Allow School Administrators in Georgia to Carry Guns
State Rep. Paul Battles, R-Cartersville, has introduced legislation that would give school systems in Georgia the option of arming and training an administrator in each school. The session starts Jan. 14.
Updated Wednesday, 8 a.m.
Bartow Schools Superintendent John Harper, who expressed concern about limited security across a big school district, prompted Battles to file the legislation, The Daily Tribune News reports. Bartow's is the 24th largest school system in the state with 19 schools and the Bartow County Learning Center, according to its Facebook page and website.
School administrators who would carry guns, if the bill passes, would be required to undergo law enforcement training, pass a background check and get a permit.
Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Original Report
As states and communities across the country try to think of ways to prevent another shooting like Sandy Hook in Newtown, CT, a local lawmaker has introduced legislation that would allow school administrators to carry a gun.
Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Introduced by State Rep. Paul Battles, R-Cartersville, the proposed amendment to firearms statutes would allow boards of education the option of arming and training administrators for each school in the system.
Designated administrators would be allowed to carry firearms within a school safety zone or school building, at a school function, or on school property or on a bus or other transportation furnished by the school, according to the bill, attached.
Battles told the Atlanta Journal-Constititution he'd rather see an armed police officer in each school, but it cost too much.
"We went through the discussion process of even possibly deputizing some of the administrators," Battles said, according to the AJC. "We had long discussions about different approaches. We came up with what I feel is the cleanest, most appropriate way for school systems to deal with their inability to provide security."
The 2013 legislative session starts Jan. 14.
What do you think of Battle's proposal? Tell us in the comments.
Share your pics and clips by clicking "Upload Photos and Videos" and don’t miss any of the local news you care about—subscribe to Cartersville Patch's newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Related Content
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
