Bill aims to identify armed school personnel

The “Safe Schools Act” is being discussed in Jefferson City.

The Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2707 Monday afternoon, in Jefferson City.

The measure would require school districts to post a notice if they have security officers who are armed.

Supporters say they want such information readily available for parents, and also require signs to be posted informing people their staff is armed and prepared to use deadly force if necessary, if the students are threatened.

HB 2707 is sponsored by State Representative Robert Ross, R-Yukon. He said, “You cannot find out through Sunshine, or other requests is or is not carrying (guns).” Ross said parents and constituents want to know whether or not their school is taking advantage of the opportunity.

This is a summary of HB 2707: This bill requires any school district that authorizes an employee of the district to carry a concealed firearm to post at any school in the district where an employee is allowed to carry a concealed firearm a notice stating, “Attention: Staff at this campus are armed and trained to meet threats to student safety with deadly force if necessary.” If a school district does not have an employee authorized to carry a concealed firearm by October first of any school year, the district must send a written notice, as described within the bill, to parents and guardians of enrolled students. The bill requires that when a teacher from a district or charter school is considered for employment by another district or charter school the hiring district or charter school must request, and the former district or charter school must provide, specified information regarding any violation that was determined to be an actual violation and related to abusive behavior toward a student.