Ahead of vote, Senate amends controversial guns-in-schools bill
The amended bill would only allow permitted teachers to carry guns once they’ve had a psychiatric evaluation. (Photo by AP)
(Harrisburg) — A plan to allow teachers to carry guns in schools is positioned for final vote in the legislature Wednesday.
Democrats added an amendment late Tuesday afternoon in an effort to ease some of the reservations of gun control and teachers’ groups, though the measure still may have a tough time getting past Governor Tom Wolf.
Republican Senator Donald White of Indiana County is the main force behind the controversial piece of legislation.
He said it is designed to give school districts more options in protecting students from attacks.
But others are concerned. Ceasefire PA’s Shira Goodman, for one, said she thinks it’s more likely to create liabilities.
“Senate Bill 383 is a dangerous bill that’s not going to make anyone safer,” she said.
In an effort to make the “troubling” bill more palatable, Democratic Senator Sharif Street of Philadelphia successfully offered an amendment requiring psychiatric evaluation of any school faculty members who want to carry a firearm.
It’s unclear if the amendment will impact the governor’s position on the bill
Asked where he stood on the initial version, Wolf was blunt.
“I’m against that,” he told reporters.
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