Armed and trained public school employees could volunteer as guardians to respond to emergencies in Utah public schools under legislation passed Wednesday night by the Utah Legislature. HB84, a 92-page, long-studied school safety measure sponsored by Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, includes language that would exempt school guardians from personal liability when carrying or storing a firearm if they act in good faith, are not grossly negligent or if the guardian “threatens, draws, or otherwise uses a firearm reasonably believing the action to be necessary.” In the absence of a school resource officer or security guard, a school employee with a valid concealed carry permit could volunteer as an armed guardian to respond during an emergency such as a school shooting or an armed intruder entering the school.
Two bills that would allow trained, armed school employees to serve as guardians or teacher-protectors to respond to school shootings and other emergencies are nearing passage in the Utah Legislature.
Armed and trained public school employees could volunteer as guardians to respond to emergencies in Utah public schools under legislation passed Wednesday night.
The Utah House of Representatives has filed a resolution to censure controversial Utah State Board of Education member Natalie Cline over an incendiary social media post targeting a student athlete.