A bill that provides teachers with law enforcement training on how to "take-out" a gunman on campus moves one step closer to becoming law.
The bill, authored by Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, allow teachers and administrators to volunteer to be trained to carry a gun during school hours and respond during an gunman on campus situation.
"They are trained by TCLOSE (Texas Commission On Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education), which is the certifying agency for law enforcement in Texas, and they have the requisite skill set, background checks, all the kind of skills you would expect them to have; all the kind of skills you would expect them to have when you have an active-shooter in the schools," Villalba said.
Villalba said there are two distinct difference between his bill and the bill being carried by Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. His bill demands more and defers the cost to the teacher wishing to be the campus marshal.
"If you are volunteer and you want to do this you pay $1,000," Villalba said. "Now you may think, 'Why anyone why would anyone want to do that, who would incur that cost on their own?' Well, I can tell you, Concealed Handgun License holders already pay $300 dollars, so it’s more, but it is obviously a greater amount of training."
He said school districts are entitled, but not required, to reimburse these teachers for their gun-training.
The bill was voted out of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety and now heads to the floor for a full debate and vote.
