Two Schools and Guns Bills

First up, is South Dakota, where Governor Dennis Dugaard has signed into law a bill allowing teachers and volunteers to carry concealed weapons on school grounds and during school hours. You can read all about it at SD Governor Signs Bill Allowing Teachers to be Armed at Fox News. The bill was opposed by the usual suspects, but the tide changed when bill sponsor Rep. Scott Craig heard from rural districts:

In South Dakota, main bill sponsor Rep. Scott Craig, R-Rapid City, said earlier this week that he has received messages from a growing number of school board members and administrators who back it. Craig said rural districts do not have the money to hire full-time law officers, so they are interested in arming teachers or volunteers.

It seems that people who favor big government always seem to favor gun control as well. The idea of Americans doing for themselves, whether its home schooling, growing their own food, seeing to their own health care, or defending themselves, seems to offend these people. I suppose that people who do for themselves puts the lie to the idea that only government can supply services to the people. I have advocated that teachers who have concealed carry permits, and who receive extra training to know how to handle emergencies such as school shootings should be allowed to carry in classes. Even if you have an armed officer there, the extra back up should be welcome.

Here in North Carolina, we have a bill before the legislature, S.B. 190, Guns on Educational Property Stored in Locked Vehicles. The Grass Roots North Carolina describes the bill this way:

Drafted with assistance from GRNC and sponsored by Sen. Bill Cook (R-Beaufort, Camden, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, GRNC ****), SB 190 would allow concealed handgun permit-holders to keep firearms in locked motor vehicles on educational properties, further permitting their removal for defensive purposes. Although the bill is not the full campus carry bill which GRNC is shepherding (and which will soon be introduced), SB 190 would apply to all concealed handgun permit-holders, unlike other bills introduced to date. Beyond providing limited means for self-defense, it would prevent thousands of parents, taking children to school, from becoming accidental felons.

This bill is very similar to a Virginia law that allows parents dropping off or picking up their kids to be armed on school property so long as they do not step out of the car. I know its a pain when I get a call to pick up one of the kids for my daughter, and I am doing errands, armed. I have to go home, drop off my weapon, then go to the school to pick up my grand child. If this law passes, I could disarm, place the weapon in a case and lock it, then proceed onto school property. This is a good law that will affect many families, and should be passed. While it doesn't go far enough, it is a modest beginning. Baby steps, baby steps.