A Rutherford County sheriff says he would support letting teachers carry guns in schools – within certain limitations. State lawmakers are talking about arming teachers so they can fight back against a school shooter.
Districts that can’t afford much extra security are of particular interest to some lawmakers wanting to arm teachers. Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold isn’t ruling it out, pointing to teachers who have experience in law enforcement or the military.
“Naturally, I think they are proficient with firearms. They have a demeanor to them, they know how to respect that weapon and how to handle that weapon. I definitely don’t see teachers strapping it on kind of like we do – kind of like the wild wild West, no I don’t support that.”
The prospect of teachers packing guns has its skeptics – among them State House Speaker Beth Harwell and Governor Bill Haslam.
On Thursday officials in Rutherford County will weigh a $1.2 million proposal from Sheriff Arnold to have an officer with a gun in every county school.
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