HARRISBURG – Senator Doug Mastriano (PA-33) has introduced legislation that would have Pennsylvania join 31 other states who have added an extra layer of security in the classrooms by allowing school staff to carry firearms. SB 632 will allow Pennsylvania school employees to be armed while on school property.
An employee carrying a firearm on school property will be required to possess a valid Pennsylvania concealed carry permit, complete a rigorous firearms course, and be certified as proficient with the firearm the employee intends to carry on school grounds.
To be certified, training must include courses on protection of students, interactions with first responders, tactics for denying classroom entry to intruders, safe handling and storage of weapons and proficiency with defensive weapons under duress.
Additionally, those certified to carry in school would provide their name and photograph to the local municipal police department and the Pennsylvania State Police. This will allow law enforcement to know who is certified to carry should they need to enter the building in an active shooter situation.
Senate Bill 632 would not be a mandate but would give school staff the option to be a last line of defense if they choose.
“Mass murderers are often attracted to soft targets where they know victims are not armed,” said Mastriano. “According to the Crime Prevention Resource Center, there has not been a single mass shooting in a school where staff were permitted to carry a firearm or an incident of lost or stolen firearms where school employees are permitted to carry. Overwhelmingly, those with concealed carry permits have proven themselves trustworthy for decades.
“Citizens across the nation and in Pennsylvania have long been pressured to trade their liberty for security. One cannot exist without the other. We can do better at protecting our kids in schools without infringing upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Pennsylvanians.”
SB 632 has been referred to the Senate Education Committee for consideration.
