On Wednesday, February 21st, the House of Delegates passed House Bill 4299, which allows K-12 school faculty to become designated School Protection Officers. The bill, sponsored by Del. Doug Smith (R-39), passed by an overwhelming majority of 89-11 on the House floor following a critical amendment by Del. Geoff Foster (R-20).
HB 4299 allows K-12 school employees with a concealed weapons permit to carry a concealed firearm at school and become a designated School Protection Officer throughout their school district. The bill also lays out a training curriculum for faculty who pursue their SPO.
Every West Virginian student deserves nothing less than the strongest shield against evil, and HB 4299 delivers that protection. This bill protects our most vulnerable by securing schools that are otherwise not permitting the lawful carry of concealed firearms on their campuses. West Virginia schools that currently allow school employees to carry have seen no harm, but instead a deterrent to crime. The right to self-defense guaranteed to West Virginians by the right to keep and bear arms should not end at the entrance to a school, as an employee starts their workday.
Sign up for NRA-ILA action alerts to receive updates as this legislation progresses.
More Like This From Around The NRA
