San Antonio-Area School District to Allow Armed Teachers for Classroom Defense

San Antonio-area La Vernia Independent School District voted this week to allow armed teachers for classroom defense under Texas’swseddsdsw Guardian program.

The Texas Association of School Boards sets forth the Guardian program:

Under the authority of the federal GFSA and the Texas Penal Code, school districts can grant written permission for anyone, including designated employees, to carry firearms on campus.18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2)(B)(v); Tex. Penal Code § 46.03(a)(1)(A). An individual authorized by the district in writing to carry a firearm on school premises is not carrying the firearm pursuant to the individual’s handgun license, but rather pursuant to the written authority granted under Section 46.03. Tex. Att’y Gen. Op. No. GA-1051 (2014).

KENS5 quoted La Vernia ISD’s safety and security director Dr. Michael Duffek saying, “The program arms qualified staff members to carry a concealed firearm on their person to protect staff and students in the event of an active shooter.”

KSAT notes that teachers who want to carry must meet the following requirements:

• 20 hours of classroom training
• 20 hours at a firing range
• Pass annual psychological exams
• Already have a license to carry
• Submit to random drug tests

Jason Breithaupt, a La Vernia parent, spoke in support of the Guardian program, saying, “It just seems like the bad guys get in every time with their guns. So if somebody can be there ready to go to protect my child, I’m all for it.”

FOX News observes that in addition to the Guardian program, “Texas schools can also have one school marshal per 400 students who can carry a firearm.”

AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio and a Turning Point USA Ambassador. Follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins. Reach him at awrhawkins@breitbart.com. You can sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange.