Lawmaker: Arming teachers on campuses could save lives

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Supporters of a measure to allow North Carolina public school teachers to carry handguns on campus say arming school personnel could save student and faculty lives when a shooter evades conventional security and police officers.

Chief sponsors of the “School Self-Defense Act” promoted it Tuesday at a news conference while acknowledging fellow House GOP leaders aren’t interested in giving it a hearing.

Rep. Larry Pittman of Concord says colleagues don’t want to touch anything controversial during an election year, but he and gun-rights activists say the authority isn’t unusual. At least nine states allow non-security school personnel to carry weapons.

The measure would designate “volunteer school faculty guardians” who have concealed weapons permits and get specialized training to be armed in school. School districts could decide against allowing armed teachers.