Topic: Texas Legislature Passes Bill to Train Teachers as Armed Marshalls

[IronDioPriest]

God, how I wish my state was half this sane.

Texas Legislature Passes Bill to Train Teachers as Armed Marshalls

Texas legislators have sent a bill to Governor Rick Perry that allows schools to train and maintain teachers as "armed marshals" on campuses.

The bill, which had already passed the Texas house, enjoyed a bipartisan passage of 28-3 in the Texas senate.
According to the Associated Press, the bill enjoyed the strong support of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who "pushed lawmakers to help school districts provide teachers or other employees with special weapons and tactical response training." Dewhurst's pleas were echoed by smaller school districts that could not afford to hire police and other security forces for their schools.

Under the bill, trained teachers would keep a firearm in a lockbox "within immediate reach." It allows one armed marshal per 400 students and contains provisions to hide the name of that marshal from public record, to keep him or her from being purposefully targeted in an attack.

Teachers' groups opposed the bill, arguing that protection ought to be left to security professionals. Yet because Texas already allows teachers to carry guns where school boards approve, the arguments against the bill did not prevail.

Senator Brian Birdwell (R) said the concern over law-abiding citizens possessing guns on campus is misdirected: "The Second Amendment is not about the gun, it's about the right to self-preservation."

[Dan]

I may have to drag my wife to TX. MA is no longer a viable option for me.
Frankly, though, I think the lock-box is not a very good idea if the threat is anywhere other than the next class, but I guess the 2d teacher will be able to get to theirs. I suppose it was a compromise of sorts, though.

[charlesoakwood]

This law may be a crock.  It is legal for armed teachers now.
The only thing necessary is permission/consent/request of the school district.
There are volunteer licensed instructors offering free or reduced fee courses to teachers.

This is a state interfering with individual school districts authority;
thus, once again usurpation of original authority by the state. 
Central Authority Reprobate Creep.

[trapeze]

I feel fortunate to have been born and raised in Texas. I don't live there now but I know that I will live there again in another fifteen or twenty years. Kind of depends on when the economy collapses and the country disintegrates, I suppose.

Come get some.

[trapeze]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Workers who lose their jobs would have to clear a drug screening to qualify for unemployment compensation under a proposal approved by the Texas Legislature.

Under current law, employers take out insurance policies to help laid-off workers survive on weekly payments of $62 to $440. Those who are fired for cause, including failing an employer-sponsored drug test, do not qualify.

The changes approved Saturday would require laid-off workers to fill out state questionnaires. Answers considered suspicious would lead to drug tests. Workers who fail would lose their benefits.

LINK

[trapeze]

Texas Museum of Flying Legends Fill In For Thunderbirds (grounded by O'Bongo) At Air Force Academy Graduation

The awesomeness.

Link to museum webpage.

[IronDioPriest]

God Blessed Texas

[Libertas]

This law may be a crock.  It is legal for armed teachers now.
The only thing necessary is permission/consent/request of the school district.
There are volunteer licensed instructors offering free or reduced fee courses to teachers.

This is a state interfering with individual school districts authority;
thus, once again usurpation of original authority by the state. 
Central Authority Reprobate Creep.

My thought as well.  Just get the district to OK it and carry.  The lockbox idea sets a bad precedent and inserts higher government control over something they should not meddle with.  If the state wants to do something truly effective pass a bill reaffirming the Second Amendment...especially the "shall not" part!  Carry on!