(Photo illustration via Canva)
Several school staff and law enforcement members spoke Monday in support of a bill providing more funding and training requirements for school law enforcement and staff carrying firearms at Iowa high schools. But they said the bill does not address the current roadblock to getting armed personnel in schools: insurance.
Under House Study Bill 675 , school employees would be allowed to carry weapons on school grounds if issued a permit under the bill. The permitting process requires applicants to complete a firearms safety course, in addition to one-time legal training on issues like qualified immunity, as well as annual communication and emergency medical trainings approved by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
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Angela Olsen, an administrator at the Spirit Lake Community School District, said while she supports the measure, Iowa law already permits school personnel to carry firearms on school grounds. In February 2022, the school district rolled out its safety plan, which included having trained, armed school staff. That policy was repealed in June 2023 , after the district was informed by its insurer, EMC Insurance, that its liability insurance would not be renewed if the district kept its policy of allowing employees to carry firearms on school campuses.