School board talks arming resource officers

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The debate continues over whether or not resource officers should be allowed to carry guns at schools.

Some members of the Mobile County School Board spoke out during a monthly meeting Wednesday night against the suggestion

The dialogue began following a shooting at LeFlore High School.

Mobile County District Attorney Ashley Rich said the move would send a strong message to any potential troublemakers that resource officers can and will protect the schools.

However, the suggested measure is also seeing its share of opposition.

“We don't need to be fighting guns with guns in public schools,” said School Board President  Reverend Levon Manzie.

He and Dr. Reginald Crenshaw of District 3 spoke out against the measure.

“If I'm not in the majority, so be it. But, I don't think that's the right move,” Manzie said.

“Some of those students have guns bigger than our guns, and they will not hesitate to retaliate once you know there are guns,” Crenshaw said.

Its an issue that the school board said it has faced before.

“It's not brand new to us,” said Ken Megginson of District 1. “We have discussed it in the past, and we’ll discuss it in the future. But, our main plea is to get the community involved. Where do the guns come from? Who’s accountable for these guns?”

He said ultimately the decision is not up to the school board. He said it is a matter of law, which is why some local lawmakers are also looking to change it.

“These officers are trained police officers. So, there's no difference than a police officer being on campus themselves,” said State Senator Rusty Glover (R).

Glover said resource officers use to be allowed to carry handguns until 2006 when they were banned in the state.

Now, he said he is looking to reinstate it and introduce the statewide bill.