If Local Schools Approve, Should Off-Duty & Retired Cops be Allowed to Carry Concealed Firearms in School Zones as Security? (H.R. 2513)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 2513?
(Updated November 6, 2019)
This bill would amend the Gun Free School Zones Act to allow a qualified off-duty or retired law enforcement officer to carry a concealed firearm in a school zone if a local school board adopts a policy allowing it. Current law allows only on-duty police officers to carry firearms in school zones. The bill would impose no requirements on local school districts.
Argument in favor
Some schools, especially in rural districts, don’t have the resources for a security presence and if a school wants to allow off-duty or retired cops to carry concealed guns nearby in a school zone for protection it should be able to. It could deter or stop a school shooting and save lives.
Argument opposed
Allowing off-duty or retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed gun in a school zone will only increase the danger to students and increases the odds of an incident occurring that could end in tragedy. It’s not worth the risk even if it could deter or stop a school shooting.
Impact
Qualified off-duty and retired law enforcement officers; and local school districts.
Cost of H.R. 2513
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) introduced this bill to give local school districts the option of allowing off-duty or retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons in school zones to protect students:
“If a school wants to allow trustworthy retired or off-duty police officers to protect their children, the federal government shouldn’t stop them. The Police Officers Protecting Children Act allows local schools to authorize experienced off-duty or retired officers to carry a firearm in a school zone for the safety of their students. This is especially important for schools in our rural communities where law enforcement may take a significant amount of time to respond to an emergency. A well-placed retired or off-duty officer could save lives.”
This legislation has the support of six Republican cosponsors in the House.
Of Note: In 2016 the state of New Jersey enacted a law that stations armed, retired cops inside New Jersey schools. To qualify as a “Class Three” police officer, retired cops would have to meet the same firearm safety qualifications as active officers and undergo school resource officer training.
Media:
Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: NJ Public Safety Officers)The Latest
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