Arkansas Board OK's Teachers to Carry Guns

Teachers and school staffers at 13 Arkansas school districts can continue to carry concealed weapons while on the job, reports thecabin.net.

The controversial program had been put on hold last month after state Attorney General Dustin McDaniel claimed the little-known law, which prohibits guns on campus, except for licensed security guards, was not intended for public schools.

Clarksville school district, with 2500 students located northwest of Little Rock, has trained 22 school employees to work as volunteer gun-toting security guards, according to Fox News.

The idea of arming school staffers came after the mass shootings in December that killed 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

The issue of arming teachers had been hotly debated across the country and backed by the National Rifle Association.

Before any school employee is certified to carry a concealed weapon, they must undergo 53 hours of training that includes role playing and drills of school shootings, in which “airsoft” pellet guns and students wearing protective gear are used.

In addition, the identities of the armed teachers will be kept secret. It has the backing of the National Rifle Association.

The Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and Security Agencies ruled the schools can continue using the special licenses for two more years. It won't accept any more applications.