Pennsylvania Sen. Doug Mastriano to introduce bill to allow teachers to be armed in schools

Pennsylvania state senator and Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano is planning to introduce a bill to allow teachers to be armed in schools.

Senator Doug Mastriano

Mastriano sent out a memo saying he’s working on the bill following the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

He’s already facing pushback from the state’s largest teachers union.

“You could have all kinds of things happen,” Pennsylvania State Education Association President Rich Askey said.

Askey said more guns in schools could lead to more violence and complicate police response to a gunman…

Mastriano’s office said the legislation will require school resource officers to be made aware of who is allowed to be armed at a school. Those staffers would also be trained on how to interact with law enforcement.

The proposal will require armed school staffers to have a valid state concealed carry permit and receive additional education and certification for proficiency and training.

Val Finnell is with Gun Owners of America, which provided input on the bill.

“Over 20 states have these measures in place already, and there haven’t really been any problems with teachers having their guns stolen or taken from them,” he said.

Read more at WGAL