Arkansas school districts could utilize teachers, administrators and other staff as armed guards under legislation headed to the desk of Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
The Arkansas House voted 87-1 Wednesday to advance the bill that would let the Arkansas State Police manage the licensing of armed staff. It would abolish a board which currently handles those duties.
The move was in response to the board deciding in 2013 to allow 13 districts to continue for two years licenses classifying them as private security firms, but not accept any new applications.
The former attorney general warned that the licensing law the districts used to arm teachers was intended for private businesses.
No one spoke against the bill. A spokesman for the governor didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
