Catherine Hensley (OU)
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Nov. 14, 2020) – Author of House Bill OSU-531, Rep. Rawson intends to help teachers, students, and parents feel more secure when they go to school. The proposed legislation would give public educators the choice to carry a small handgun or pocket knife inside a public school building.
Rep. Rawson said observing the devastation caused by public school shootings across the U.S. inspired her to write this bill as her way of trying to prevent that from happening to more communities.
“There have been around 60 incidents of gunfire on school grounds just in 2020, and an estimated 3 million American children are exposed to school shootings,” Rep. Rawson said.
The proposed legislation requires each public school to have at least two teachers that are conceal-carry teachers. If a teacher wants to carry a weapon in school, they must first apply, and the school’s administrator must choose them. If selected, the teacher has to pass a psychological test. Then, they must acquire their license to carry. Once the teacher has gone through that process, they must purchase their own biometric safe to store their weapons in their desk.
Rep. Rawson said she expects some pushback from delegates in the House because allowing teachers to conceal and carry a gun in school could potentially put a dangerous weapon in front of children. However, Rep. Rawson said that is why her bill allows teachers to choose whether they carry a gun or a knife. Requiring teachers to keep their concealed weapon in a biometric safe is also a safeguard in place.
The bill is currently on the House Orders of the Day, and representatives will have the chance to hear this legislation on the floor. Rep. Rawson is hopeful that this proposed legislation is passed through the House so that it can help Oklahoma students and teachers feel more confident in their safety at school.