House may arm teachers, administrators

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - House members want to steer the school safety debate back toward letting school districts arm teachers and employees.

The House voted 70-46 Tuesday to amend Senate Bill 2659 to allow school districts to decide to allow guns in schools.

The Senate bill had included a proposal by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves to help schools pay for resource officers. The Senate earlier killed a House bill allowing districts to arm employees who pass a firearms safety course.

The House and Senate will have to resolve differences before the bill can move forward.

House Education Chairman John Moore, a Brandon Republican, says students now are "absolutely defenseless" without armed adults. He says some districts are too poor to afford certified officers.

Opponents say guns in schools are a recipe for trouble.