Guthrie Public Schools Looks At Arming Teachers

One metro school board is looking into the possibility of arming teachers. This week, a Guthrie School Board member proposed the idea.

School Board President Terry Pennington has no intention of putting more guns around children than necessary. But he says it's now an unfortunate conversation schools nationwide must have.

“With uh today's environment, the schools are charged with providing a safe and secure environment for your kids so we are going to look at everything,” said Pennington.

That includes possibly giving teachers access to firearms at their fingertips in the classroom. The idea was brought up this week during the Guthrie school board meeting.

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For the next 60 days, a committee will examine all sides of the issue and speak with law enforcement to get their opinion.

“The number one priority is the safety of the kids and the employees. Teachers have a right to work in a safe environment as much as children have a right to have a safe environment to learn in,” said Pennington.

Since 2010, there have more than 100 school shootings nationwide. Despite that number, Pennington, a former federal agent and current gun store owner, is cautious about arming teachers.

“You know it's a sad thing that we are having this conversation because when I grew up in schools here in Oklahoma we never even thought about this stuff,” he said.

Only two other school districts in the state allow teachers to carry a gun at school.

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Both schools are in rural areas, so if approved Guthrie would be the largest district in Oklahoma to allow guns in school.

“That's not something I want to do in a hurry. It's not something I really want to do at all,” said Pennington.

At the end of the 60 day study the committee will present their findings to the board then, it'll be up for a vote.

Right now, board members are divided on the issue.