Proposed Pennsylvania legislation would allow school employees to carry guns on school grounds

WASHINGTON, Pa. — Safety is not a new topic, but it is a highly debated one.

“They’ve put metal detectors in the schools, they’ve gotten around that. A number of other things and nothing seems to work,” said Princess Makokele.

For Washington County parent Makokele, more needs to be done in schools and State Rep. Aaron Bernstine agrees.

“There is no reason for our kids to be sitting ducks in schools for those that intend to do our kids and educators harm. They want to be able to protect themselves should they choose,” Bernstine said.

That’s why he introduced HB 2771 and Sen. Doug Mastriano introduced SB 1288. If passed, both will allow a school employee who has a concealed carry permit to have their gun on school grounds if they choose to.

“Gov. Wolf has already come out against this but we are more introduced in protecting our kids than playing politics,” Bernstine said.

While it will allow staff to be voluntarily armed, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers is not on board.

“Experts are saying, teachers are saying we need more school resource officers and protections. That way with the horrendous things that are happening with school shootings. Absolutely school safety is first,” said Nina Esposito-Visgitis with PFT.

But Esposito-Visgitis believes that comes in the form of school officers, mental health resources and more support staff.

“To think they want to put a gun for the teacher to worry about too in addition to 30 lives in front of them. They should be ashamed of themselves. They should go back to school and learn something,” Esposito-Visgitis said.

Both bills are sitting in the Education Committee for the House and Senate. Bernstine said his number one goal when he returns to session in a few weeks is to push these bills to the floor.

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