Iowa House passes bill to let teachers carry guns at school

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa House Republicans passed a bill on Wednesday that would allow school employees to be issued professional permits to carry weapons on school grounds.

Iowa House File 2586 would train and arm teachers and provide funding for school resource officers or private security guards. The bill would provide up to $50,000 in matching state funds to school districts who hire their own security. Individuals would allowed to be armed if they complete a training program with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and receive a professional carry license.

At the subcommittee for the bill, rural superintendents and school board officials came and spoke in favor of the legislation. The same subcommittee saw Des Moines Public School District students speaking out against the bill, saying more guns in schools make them feel less safe.

A big concern for a lot of those in favor of the bill, and school officials who want this passed was insurance companies preventing districts from arming staff because of liability risks.

The bill still needs to advance through the Iowa Senate before it can be signed into law.

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