FIREARMS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY – Amends existing law to authorize a school employee who possesses an enhanced license to carry concealed weapons to carry on school property in certain instances.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

House Bill 273 allows trained school employees to carry concealed firearms on campus, aiming to enhance security and alter perceptions of safety in schools.

Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs

#criminaloffensesandprocedures #education #property #schoolsandschooldistricts #students #teachingandteachers #weapons

Title: Firearms on School Property

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 273 aims to enhance school security by allowing certain school employees to carry concealed firearms on school property. The bill is introduced in response to concerns about safety in educational environments and seeks to provide an alternative to hiring armed security personnel, which is deemed cost-prohibitive.

Key Provisions

Authorization for Concealed Carry:

School employees who possess an enhanced concealed carry license or have completed a Police Officer Standards Training (POST) course may carry concealed firearms on school property.
Local school boards will establish training standards, and they cannot deny an employee's right to carry if the employee meets these standards.

Training Requirements:

Employees must complete a minimum of six days of enhanced concealed weapon training or POST training.
Annual refresher training with local law enforcement is required for qualified employees.

Removal of "Gun Free Zone" Signs:

The bill mandates that all public K-12 schools remove signage indicating they are gun-free zones.

Liability Protections:

School employees who carry concealed weapons under this law will not be held civilly or criminally liable in certain circumstances.

Definitions and Exceptions:

The bill revises definitions related to firearms and school property.
It provides exceptions for peace officers, retired law enforcement, and individuals with permission from school authorities to carry firearms.

Affected Parties

School Employees: Teachers, administrators, and other staff members who meet the training requirements will be directly affected as they gain the ability to carry firearms.

Students and Parents: The bill may impact the overall safety perception among students and parents within the school environment.

Local School Boards: They will have the authority to set training standards and manage the implementation of this legislation.

Procedural Aspects

Introduced: February 18, 2025

Current Status: Reported printed and referred to the State Affairs Committee as of February 19, 2025.

Fiscal Impact: The training costs will be borne by the individuals seeking to carry concealed weapons, and the bill is noted to have no fiscal impact on state or local government revenues.

Conclusion

House Bill 273 represents a significant shift in policy regarding firearms on school property, aiming to enhance security through the empowerment of school employees. The bill's passage could lead to a re-evaluation of safety protocols in educational settings across the state.

Bill