Rep. Christensen (R-32) Introduces “School Carry” Firearm Bill
By Greg Pruett • February 3, 2021A new bill has been introduced in the Idaho Legislature to allow school employees and administrators to carry concealed firearms on school grounds if they have a current Enhanced Conceal Carry License.
RS28274C1 (House Bill number not yet assigned) was introduced this morning by Rep. Chad Christensen (R-Iona) in the House State Affairs Committee.
The bill’s official Statement of Purpose is as follows:
This allows district employees, with an enhanced concealed weapons license, to carry a concealed weapon on school property. This requires that the school district employee maintain the weapon concealed and within their immediate control. It provides that employees desiring to utilize this statute provide a confidential copy of their enhanced license to school officials who shall also share the information with law enforcement.
Christensen, the bill sponsor, told the House State Affairs Committee during his presentation that the main goal of the bill was to protect kids and to prevent a potential incident, such as a school shooting. Christensen said during his presentation:
My number one goal with this is to deter bad guys.
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Christensen said the bill would allow the employees and administrators to carry without permission from the school board. Currently, under Idaho law, permission to carry on school grounds is up to the school board.
Rep. Bruce Skaug (R-Nampa) wanted to ensure that someone acting unlawfully was not prevented from having a tort claim brought against them. He asked if it was possible to make changes to the bill.
Rep. Vito Barbieri (R-Dalton Gardens) said that the bill covered “lawful” carry on school grounds and that the current language in the bill was fine.
Soon after Barbieri’s comment, Rep. Brent Crane (R-Nampa) put the committee at ease. He then asked Christensen and Skaug to go back and have a quick discussion about the issue.
After returning from their discussion, a motion was made by Skaug with some additional words added to the bill and to send the bill to a full public hearing. The motion passed on a voice vote.
Rep. Chris Mathias (D-Boise) asked to be recorded as voting no.
A public hearing for the bill has not yet been scheduled.
What do you think of teachers, administrators, or school employees carrying on school grounds?
Let us know in the comments below.
Tags: 2nd Amendment, Chad Christensen, Firearms, School Carry
7 thoughts on “Rep. Christensen (R-32) Introduces “School Carry” Firearm Bill”
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Please, this is a great idea for those that want to learn or know how to handle a gun! With some loony Democrats moving here from Calif. we need protection in schools for the children. Lived in Calif for 65 years……
Every school in this nation should be required to have armed teachers and employees to prevent any future Sandy Hook type incidents.
Outstanding bill – get it passed and implemented immediately!
After 28 yrs in the classroom, I believe it’s important that trained employees have the option. I can remember one time when a gang member appeared on our middle school playground at recess. He had his hand in his jacket pocket and was definitely looking for someone. I called 911 and later was chastised by the school counselor for not calling her first.
An absolutely fantastic idea.
This is a fabulous idea!
More common sense from our Conservative Republican legislators. It is hilarious to see that the Democrat wanted to be on the record as a no. Just want to remind everybody that look at California and look at our nation. So proud of Idaho’s legislators to be standing firm in these key areas. Our kids will be so much safer. If the bad guy knows their weapons on campus, they will not approach.
Excellent idea. Perhaps this could change in the future to gun safety being brought back to Idaho schools. Much more respect for something known than the unknown.