If enacted, the proposal would allow K-12 teachers, administrators and support personnel who possess concealed carry permits to have a firearm in the school building.
That person would be designated as a “school protection officer.” Such laws currently exist in 11 other states.
Proponents of the measure note that every school system in West Virginia does not have the resources to employ a full-time resource officer. This bill would allow for other protective measures to be taken.
The House heard riveting testimony from Del. Davie Foggin (R) of Wood County, who is also a physics teacher. He said he could not imagine something more terrible than having to shoot someone in his classroom.
However, an intruder bent on harming students would leave him with no other choice.
“Evil is a problem,” Foggin told his colleagues. “Hate is a problem. I would like to be able to combat hate with love, but unfortunately, it will take a firearm if someone else has one.”
There is a separate piece of legislation passed by the Senate which would give school administrators the ability to hire retired law enforcement officers and military veterans to help secure school buildings. It is uncertain whether either bill has a chance of success in the opposite chamber.
This issue has roiled West Virginia lawmakers in the past.
A proposal like the new House bill never made it to the floor in 2023. It would have permitted school districts to join the protection officer program after a period of public comment.
A point of contention with this year’s bill was the last-minute change that would require districts to implement the program if a staff member completes training and wants to assist in protecting the school. Some saw this as whittling away at local control of education.
