Bill allowing Nebraska school staff to carry firearm advances to Governor's desk
The bill only applies to some school districts.
The bill only applies to some school districts.
The bill only applies to some school districts.
In the second to last day of the legislative session, senators overwhelmingly pass a sweeping education bill, in it, allowing some Nebraska teachers to be armed.
"It doesn't apply to all the schools. This was designed for the rural schools where they didn't have a resource officer or law enforcement wasn't readily available," Senator Tom Brewer said.
The bill only applies to class one and class two districts. Those are districts with a population of one thousand people or less, or a school district that only has elementary grades.
The armed staff would have to store a handgun in a biometric lock box that only they could access. Districts could hire and arm private security or choose to arm any staff member in the school.
"But it can be anyone from the superintendent to the janitor. That designated person will have to go through training," Brewer said.
Jack Moles, Executive Director of Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association says they're neutral on the bill. Some rural districts wanted the option, others said "no way".
Moles said in an emergency situation at a rural school, it could be 15, 20 or even 30 minutes before law enforcement can get there.
And it's not only in western Nebraska.
"Or the schools located in eastern Nebraska where it could be 15 or 20 minutes easily," Moles said.
As for training, the state board of education and state patrol will create a 'model policy' that includes the 'appropriate number of training hours required.'
The new superintendent of Omaha Public Schools previously told KETV Newswatch 7 he would not support arming OPS staff.
"I do understand why other schools in Nebraska, who don't have access to SRO's or don't have access to immediate police response would feel a need. I don't feel the Omaha public schools needs it," Superintendent Matthew Ray said.