Should teachers bear arms?

Two Republican legislators with long law enforcement backgrounds want to allow teachers to carry guns. Two key Democrats oppose the concept.

“I would absolutely be open to personnel in the school who are certified and trained to have the option to do that,” Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, said. “They will have to be trained. I just don’t think that is unreasonable.”

Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder, also proposes arming some school employees.

Ingebrigtsen said that the principal at the Connecticut school where 20 students died in December did the noble thing in trying to stop the gunman, and got herself killed in the process. If she had a gun, the senator said, maybe she could have saved lives.

“I don’t think too many people will disagree,” Ingebrigtsen said.

Two key people do disagree. Gov. Mark Dayton said that it does not make sense to arm school personnel and House Speaker-designate Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, said such a bill will not pass the House.

Tags: minnesota, legislature, news