State Sen. Tom Brewer puts forward a bill to allow teachers and staff to carry firearms
A bill presented to the Nebraska Legislature’s Education Committee is seeking to address the issue of school shootings by permitting teachers and staff to carry firearms. Sponsored by State Sen. Tom Brewer, the bill aligns with a growing trend in GOP-led state legislatures across the country advocating for expanded gun rights.
Filling Law Enforcement Gaps in Rural Districts
Brewer argues that the bill is necessary, particularly in rural districts that lack nearby law enforcement or resource officers commonly found in urban areas. The proposed legislation consists of three key parts. Firstly, it would give local school boards the authority to allow off-duty law enforcement officers to carry guns onto school premises. Secondly, it would require detailed maps of school buildings and grounds to be provided to local law enforcement and first responders, aiding their response in the event of a school shooting. Lastly, the bill would permit teachers or other school staff to be armed, provided they undergo gun handling and safety training.
Rural Districts Face Unique Challenges
Brewer emphasizes that the bill is needed in Nebraska’s rural districts, where schools can be located many miles away from the nearest law enforcement and often lack access to resource officers, which are more prevalent in cities like Omaha and Lincoln. According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, at least 32 states already have laws allowing teachers or other school staff to be armed during school hours, including all of Nebraska’s neighboring states such as Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Brewer argues that Nebraska should not be an “island that has decided not to protect our children.”
Debate Surrounding Armed School Staff
While many who testified in favor of the bill focused on its school mapping provision, the sanctioning of armed school staff elicited emotional testimony from some individuals. One teacher, who was present for a deadly school shooting in Omaha 13 years ago, shared his experience with the committee. Tim Royers, president of the Millard Education Association, recalled the horrifying moment when a code red was announced, and he and other teachers had to quickly gather and hide students. Royers emphasized that in the years since, he has never heard any educators express a desire to be armed. Moreover, he warned that such a provision could drive teachers out of the profession.
Support for Rural Schools
Brewer contends that opponents of the bill are not being fair to schools in rural areas that struggle to fill even basic positions, let alone resource officer positions. Brewer has long been an opponent of gun regulation laws. In fact, a bill that he championed since his election in 2016, which allows Nebraska residents to carry concealed guns without a permit, was passed and enacted last year. Similar to constitutional carry laws in other states, this legislation permits individuals to carry hidden guns without a government permit or gun safety course.
By proposing this bill to arm teachers and staff, State Sen. Tom Brewer hopes to enhance school safety and prevent tragic incidents like the one that occurred in Omaha. However, the debate surrounding this issue remains contentious, with concerns about the impact on educators and the potential effects on the overall learning environment.