States look to arm teachers in aftermath of Uvalde

At least two states are pressing forward with legislation that would allow trained school teachers to carry firearms on public school grounds in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

While arming teachers has faced widespread hostility from gun control organizations and national teachers unions such as the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, allowing teachers to carry firearms in schools was among the recommendations made by several school safety commissions formed in the aftermath of school shootings in 2018.

Arming teachers has had mixed results in the past due to varying levels of participation. A 2020 report from the RAND Corporation found that 28 states already permit armed teachers under certain circumstances, while others, including Texas and Florida, have passed laws specifically encouraging the practice.

Now, in the aftermath of Uvalde, the policy has received renewed attention in state capitols as lawmakers look to enact new measures to harden security at schools.