Texas Gov. Rick Perry OK with teachers, staff carrying guns at schools

By CHRISTY HOPPE / The Dallas Morning News
choppe@dallasnews.com

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry said Monday that he supported the Harrold school district policy to allow teachers and staff members to carry guns at school as long as they are adequately trained in gun safety.

"I'm pretty much a fan that if you've been trained and you are registered, then you should be able to carry a weapon. Matter of fact, there's a lot of instances that would have saved a lot of lives," Mr. Perry said.

The governor is a staunch advocate of right-to-carry provisions and has advocated allowing licensed gun owners to carry them into places where they can currently be banned, such as college campuses, churches, bars and private businesses.

"The issue with handguns is training and registration," Mr. Perry said, adding that those who complete the concealed weapons licensing program, which includes gun safety training, should be allowed to carry guns wherever they go.

Harrold is a small district near Wichita Falls that has about 110 students in its K-12 school. School trustees changed their policy last year to allow district employees to carry concealed guns on school property. School officials have cited the proximity of the school to a state highway and its 30-minute distance from the nearest sheriff's office as reasons for concern.

Thus far, Harrold is apparently the only school district in Texas that will allow its teachers to carry guns into their classrooms.

Texans for Gun Safety board member Linda Siemers said teachers or students carrying guns around school "is a terrifying idea."

"Schools are capable of providing a safe environment for teachers and children without either one carrying guns," Ms. Siemers said. "We must deal with our fear of crime in a more constructive manner."

But Mr. Perry said he would have no problem with other schools allowing guns.

"I think it's up to those local school districts," he said.

He mentioned the 1991 rampage in Killeen when George Hennard drove his pickup into the front of a Luby's and began shooting at patrons, killing 23 people before turning the gun on himself. Among the victims were the parents of former state Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp, who was one of the state's staunchest right-to-carry advocates.

"That's a great anecdotal story of not being able to have a weapon when you needed one," Mr. Perry said.

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