Governor Jay Nixon is voicing opposition to House Republicans’ plans to allow teachers in Missouri to carry guns in classrooms.
In a letter to the state’s public school superintendents, Nixon says the proposal would put children at risk and take away the authority of local school districts to keep guns out of classrooms.
Scott Holste is the governor’s press secretary: “Now is the time to engage in meaningful discussions on making sure that our schools remain safe places for students and educators, but this proposal to arm teachers and undermine the authority of local school boards, this is not really (what) the governor thinks should be considered.”
In his letter, Nixon also says that the state’s 1996 Safe Schools Act offers enough protection in K-12 schools. The law allows schools to suspend or expel a student who brings a gun to school.