North Dakota Senate rejects guns in schools measure

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Rebuffing repeated attempts by ardent pro-gun lawmakers in the House, the Republican-led North Dakota Senate on Tuesday rejected a proposal for the third consecutive session that would allow trained staff members to carry concealed firearms in schools.

The Senate, led by several former educators who opposed the idea, voted 27-18 to kill the legislation that would allow trained staff members to carry concealed firearms in schools. It would allow up to 10 schools to participate in the guns-in-schools “pilot program,” if local school boards approved.

The House unsuccessfully pushed similar legislation in the two prior sessions, and overwhelmingly passed the most recent bill in February, winning approval by a 73-19 vote.

The bill, and others before it, was aimed at rural schools without a school resource officer, since it takes law enforcement time to respond to an emergency situation. Education groups opposed the idea, fearing safety of students and potential lawsuits and higher insurance costs.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, a former high school teacher, called the bill a waste of lawmakers’ time since most teachers, administrators and education groups don’t support it.

“We have a bill nobody wants and they don’t plan on using it,” Wardner said.

Some larger school districts in North Dakota have hired armed officers to patrol the schools but smaller school districts can’t afford them. Backers of the bill, who were mostly from rural legislative districts, said it creates an efficient and cost-effective way to protect people at school.

GOP Sen. Janne Myrdal, of Edinburg, said it could take a half-hour or longer for law enforcement to respond to schools in her district, and failing to pass the legislation lets people know there is no protection.

“Why on Earth are we leaving this wide open and advertising them as a soft target?” said Myrdal, who also serves on her local school board.

The bill would require 80 hours of training for potential gun-packing school officials, and counseling would be required after a shooting incident.

Sen. Raymon Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, a retired school counselor, worried local school board elections could be centered on whether or not a candidate would allow people to pack guns in schools.

“We should be talking about education of students,” he said.