The Missouri House has moved to expand who can carry concealed weapons into schools.
The bill, approved Tuesday in an 85-59 vote, would allow school districts to designate any employee as a school protection officer, which would make them eligible to carry concealed firearms into schools. Currently, only teachers and administrators can be designated as school protection officers.
The measure would also increase training requirements to become a protection officer.
Proponents say this could improve safety in the event of a school shooting, especially in isolated schools. Opponents say it could lead to unqualified people being armed around children.
The bill now heads to the Senate.