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.