Kingsburg High District Board votes to allow CCW permit staff to carry guns on campus

KINGSBURG, Calif. (KFSN) -- Kingsburg High School District Board has made history becoming the second district in California to allow certain staff members to bring a gun on campus.

Board members for Kingsburg Joint Union High School District voted yes to a new policy they hope, will ensure the safety of students and staff in case of an active shooter or other extreme emergencies on campus. The new policy doesn't require the volunteered staff members to shoot, but once the CCW permit holder signs the application, they've accepted the responsibility.

"And personally, the expectation of the superintendent is, given the situation, you will protect staff and students with your firearm that you've been granted permission to carry," said Randy Morris, Superintendent.

The policy was suggested by board members following December's San Bernardino mass shooting, and, other horrific crimes across the country. The superintendent would ultimately decide which staff members would be allowed to carry a concealed gun on campus-- and those identities would remain a secret. Morris said he's already received a few inquiries from staff.

"It would be comforting, or nice to know, that somebody was on campus armed and could stop the violence," said Neil Dadian, Kingsburg Police Chief.

ABC30 legal analyst Tony Capozzi, though, said putting that kind of responsibility on a staff member, who does not have the training law enforcement does, is a bad idea.

"You can legally carry a gun. But how you deal with a crisis situation are two different things, and then what's the responsibility of a school district on what a teacher, or administrator, does with that firearm."

When applying, staff members must have a positive disciplinary record.

The policy goes into effect immediately.