LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill introduced to the Nebraska Legislature’s Education Committee has sparked debate as it proposes granting teachers and staff in schools across the state the right to carry firearms, according to a report by Fox News on Wednesday.
Sponsored by State Sen. Tom Brewer, the bill reflects a broader trend observed in GOP-led state legislatures nationwide, where there’s growing support for expanded gun rights.
The Nebraska bill, brought before the Education Committee, comprises three primary components. Firstly, it empowers local school boards to authorize off-duty law enforcement to carry firearms on school premises.
Additionally, the bill suggests the development of detailed maps of school buildings and grounds, to be shared with local law enforcement and first responders. This measure aims to bolster preparedness and response capabilities in the event of a school shooting.
Senator Brewer contends that the bill is particularly crucial in rural districts, where schools may be distant from the nearest law enforcement agencies and often lack access to resource officers commonly found in urban areas like Omaha and Lincoln.
The proposal in Nebraska is part of a broader landscape, with at least 32 states already having laws permitting teachers or other school staff to carry firearms during school hours.
According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, neighboring states of Nebraska, including Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota, have already enacted such measures.
The bill’s presentation to the Education Committee included impassioned testimonies, notably from Tim Royers, president of the Millard Education Association. Royers recounted a previous incident where a “Code Red” alert was issued, prompting a scramble for safety.
While educators have not expressed a desire to be armed, Royers stressed that a provision like this could deter them from the profession.
“But I’ve had plenty of them tell me that a provision like this would drive them out of the profession,” he told the committee.
Senator Brewer faces opposition from critics who argue that the bill unfairly burdens schools in rural areas, struggling to fill law enforcement and resource officer positions.
Brewer, a longstanding advocate for gun rights, has a history of championing expanded gun rights, including a successful bill allowing Nebraska residents to carry concealed guns without a permit.
