|
|
Arming Teachers and School Staff: Important questions to consider
|
Protecting schools from shootings is a top priority for the K-12 community and, as a result, conversations about whether to arm educators has come into focus. Some schools already arm teachers pursuant to state, county, and/or school board authorization. Others are weighing the benefits and dangers.
|
The Risk Co-Op provides broad coverage and support during an active shooter event but excludes coverage for armed employees. We can, however, provide information to districts about obtaining liability coverage from other providers should they decide to have armed staff on campus.
|
Some important details to review when considering a plan to arm school staff, include (but are not limited to):
|
- Is the district working closely with legal counsel in development of the plan?
- What risk or liability is involved with this type of plan, and what insurance coverage may be required if teachers or other staff possess firearms on school premises or school transportation for school district security activities?
- Has the plan to arm staff been authorized explicitly by the district’s Board of Directors and has the idea been vetted by parents and other community members?
- Does the school board have appropriate and adequate policies and procedures governing the carrying and use of firearms by teachers and school staff?
- What rules, requirements, procedures, and/or processes have been put in place for the safe possession, storage, and/or potential use of a firearm in the school setting?
- What level of firearms training and on-going qualifications will be required of school staff authorized to carry firearms at school for school district security activities?
- Will the district supply firearms, ammunition, and training to staff or expect staff to supply their own weapons and ammunition?
- How is the district prepared to prevent and manage situations where teachers and/or staff members lose, misplace, or have their firearms stolen while on campus?
- How will the school manage an accidental shooting that could occur?
- Does the plan include recordkeeping and scheduling of regular firearm inspections?
- Has the district fully vetted the added cost of such a plan? Specifically, schools may need to purchase:
- Biometric gun safes, which require fingerprints to unlock, so guns are inaccessible to students or other unauthorized adults
- Bulletproof vests for use by armed staff
- Background checks and mental health screenings for all armed staff to be sure they are qualified to hold the given position and to be carrying a firearm
- Firearm licensing
- Additional liability insurance
- Regular training for armed staff that covers weapons proficiency and concealed carry, and time off for training sessions
|
We understand the complexities school districts face in this type of decision-making process and before taking any steps to arm employees, we highly recommend a district consult legal counsel to better understand the liability landscape, guarantee appropriate policies and procedures are in place, and ensure compliance with state laws and local ordinances.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
