Oklahoma Lawmaker Wants Teachers To Carry Guns

An Oklahoma lawmaker wants to try to prevent another school shooting by arming teachers with guns, Representative Mark McCullough plans to file a bill that if passed, would let some teachers and administrators carry firearms in classrooms. He thinks his plan could help prevent another tragedy.

"I was horrified by it," said Rep. Mark McCullough.

People are still having a tough time coping with the tragic events that unfolded Friday in Newtown, Connecticut.

"It's heartbreaking," said Tom Jones.

"It's sad, all the stuff that happened," said Sam Clyma.

Now an Oklahoma lawmaker has a plan that he thinks could help stop other school shootings.

"The reality of this situation is this man performed a great evil thing and that could have possibly been prevented had we been prepared to meet force with force," said Rep. McCullough.

Right now it's a felony to carry guns onto school property. But Representative McCullough wants teachers and administrators to have the right to be armed.

"I'm going to err on the side of trusting my teachers if it comes down to it," said Rep. McCullough. "I am not going to trust a madman."

"I don't believe that's the answer, I really don't," said Jones.

Some parents we spoke with disagree with the plan.

"There's too many things that can happen with a gun," said Clyma.

"What do you want to say to parents who think it would be potentially dangerous to give guns to teachers in a classroom," asked Marisa Mendelson of Fox 25 News.
 "These teachers would be trained at the same level our law enforcement are currently trained," said Representative McCullough.

Under his plan, all teachers and administrators would have to get CLEET certification before they can carry a firearm.

"They would be trained in target acquisition, in marksmanship," said Rep. McCullough. "They would be trained in all of the things that our current police officers are trained in."

But some parents are still not sold on the idea.

"I'd have to ask, how are you going to screen the teachers," said Jones. "How do you know you don't have a mentally ill person?"

Representative McCullough thinks this is the first step to stop another school tragedy.

"I just feel compelled to bring forth some responsible solutions to prevent this from happening again," said Rep. McCullough.

Representative McCullough says he's received a lot of positive feedback about his idea. He plans to file his bill by mid-January.

MARISA MENDELSON
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
FOX 25 NEWS
MLMENDELSON@OKCFOX.COMOklahoma Lawmaker Wants Teachers To Carry Guns

Posted: Tuesday, December 25 2012, 05:33 PM CST