ARLINGTON — Two gun rights activists are proposing that Arlington teachers and administrators be allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus.
The idea, which comes amid national debate about high-profile public shootings, was immediately opposed by some school officials, one of whom called it "dangerous."
David McElwee and Bill Sandlin, members of the National Rifle Association, said they would outline their proposal to the school board Thursday night. As of 10:30 p.m., they were still waiting their turn to pitch the idea.
Before the meeting, the men said they would make a case to trustees that school shootings are too unpredictable to prevent by beefing up security forces or technology.
"When someone bursts into a classroom ready to kill, it's too late," McElwee said. "It's over within five minutes."
He said the district should allow teachers and administrators with concealed-carry permits to be armed at school after receiving additional crisis training.
Only one district in the state allows concealed weapons. The tiny Harrold school district near Wichita Falls became the first in the nation to allow armed employees in fall 2008, a protective measure that school officials supported because the district is at least 20 minutes from the nearest sheriff's station.
Two Arlington trustees said that armed teachers are not the best choice for their district.
"It's just dangerous, and it's not necessary," Trustee Wayne Ogle said before the meeting.
Ogle said the district contracts with the Arlington Police Department to keep officers at high schools and junior high schools.
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