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Alabama lawmakers hold hearing on proposal to arm teachers

Alabama lawmakers will hold public hearings on proposals to allow some teachers to carry concealed handguns into their schools

The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee will hold a Wednesday hearing on the bill by Republican Rep. Will Ainsworth.

It would allow public school teachers and administrators, after undergoing police training, to carry a pistol on school property.

It is one of a number of ideas introduced after the fatal shooting of 17 people at a Florida high school.

Ainsworth says students are now “sitting ducks.” Critics argue bringing guns into schools will increase the chance of a deadly incident.

Committee members will also hold a hearing on a separate proposal to allow school systems to designate certain employees to carry weapons as part of a school security team.

(Image: State Rep. Will Ainsworth, R-Guntersville, speaks about his bill to arm teachers in schools — Ainsworth/YouTube)

(Associated Press, copyright 2018)

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