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Which States Allow Teachers to Conceal Carry firearms




Currently, 32 states allow teachers and staff to carry concealed firearms on school campuses, providing an added layer of protection for students. Although it is unfortunate that not all 50 states permit this measure for defending against active shooter situations, growing public awareness and advocacy efforts are working to expand these policies. The 5th Annual National Train a Teacher Day, scheduled for June 18, aims to train, educate, and empower teachers, staff, and administrators. The goal is to influence lawmakers and school boards to adopt more proactive policies for school safety.


How Can Teachers Safely Protect Students?


In 1999, a tragic school shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, resulted in the deaths of 12 students and one teacher. In just three minutes, 10 victims were either killed or injured before law enforcement was alerted. In 2012, a shooter entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut and killed 20 children and six adults in five minutes, with police arriving only after the shooter had taken his own life. Similarly, in 2018, a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida left 17 people dead and others injured in under four minutes.

These devastating events share a tragic commonality: no teachers or school staff were armed or trained to defend themselves or their students during these active shooter scenarios.

A 2014 study by Eric Dietz, a Purdue University professor and homeland security expert, found that "having either an armed guard or armed staff on school grounds can reduce the number of casualties in a mass shooting situation by up to 70 percent by, at the very least, slowing the attacker down." Proper training in safe firearm handling, active shooter response, and defensive tactics could prepare teachers and staff to act quickly and effectively in an emergency.

"Time is your ally," Dietz emphasized, highlighting that armed, trained school staff could make a crucial difference in reducing casualties during a crisis. In response to the growing threat of school shootings, several states and local governments have begun arming and training teachers and staff to improve school safety.


Which States Allow Armed Teachers?


As of now, 32 states permit teachers or other school personnel to carry firearms on school grounds, though this may come with specific conditions or restrictions. These states include:


  1. Alabama — Teachers with a pistol permit are exempt from the prohibition on carrying firearms in schools, as long as there is no intent to cause harm.Reference: § 13A-11-72

  2. Alaska — Teachers may carry firearms on school grounds with permission from the school.Reference: § 11.61.210(a)(7)

  3. Arizona — Teachers may carry firearms when part of an approved school program.Reference: § 13-3102(I)(2)

  4. Arkansas — Only private and religious schools may allow teachers to carry firearms, and permission is required.Reference: § 5-73-119(e)(11)

  5. Colorado — Teachers may carry firearms under specific circumstances, with permission from the school.Reference: § 18-12-105.5

  6. Connecticut — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 53a-217b(b)

  7. Delaware — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.

  8. Florida — Teachers may participate in the School Guardian Program and carry firearms.Reference: § 1006.12

  9. Georgia — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 16-11-127.1(6)

  10. Idaho — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school district.Reference: § 18-3302D(4)(g)

  11. Indiana — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school board.Reference: § 35-47-9-1

  12. Iowa — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 724.4B(2)

  13. Kansas — Teachers may carry firearms with written authorization from the superintendent or the chief administrator of an accredited private school.Reference: § 21-6301(a)(11); (j)(2)

  14. Kentucky — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 527.070(3)(f)

  15. Massachusetts — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: Ch. 269, § 10(j)

  16. Michigan — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 750.237a(5)(e)

  17. Minnesota — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 609.66 Subd.1d(f)(8)

  18. Missouri — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school or school district.Reference: §§ 571.030.1(10); 571.030.4

  19. Montana — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school district.Reference: § 45-8-361(3)

  20. Nevada — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 202.265(3)

  21. New Hampshire — Federal law restricts carrying firearms on campus for individuals without a concealed carry permit. However, students are prohibited from possessing firearms in school zones.Reference: §§ 193-D:3; 193-D:1

  22. New Jersey — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 2C:39-5(e)(1)

  23. Ohio — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 2923.122(D)(1)(a)

  24. Oklahoma — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school, but only at private schools. Teachers with security guard licenses and designated by the school board may also carry firearms.Reference: 21 Okl. St. § 1280.1

  25. Oregon — Teachers may carry firearms with a concealed carry permit.Reference: §§ 166.370(1),(3)(g)

  26. South Carolina — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 16-23-420

  27. South Dakota — Teachers may carry firearms if they are designated as school sentinels.Reference: § 13-64-1

  28. Tennessee — Teachers may carry firearms with a valid concealed carry permit and written authorization from the local education authority and school principal, among other stipulations (law signed April 26, 2024).Reference: § TBD (law passed 2024)

  29. Texas — Teachers may carry firearms if designated as a school marshal.Reference: § 37.0811

  30. Utah — Teachers may carry firearms with a concealed carry permit.Reference: § 76-10-505.5(4)(a)

  31. Vermont — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school.Reference: § 13, § 4004(c)

  32. Wyoming — Teachers may carry firearms with permission from the school district and a valid concealed carry permit.Reference: § 21-3-132


In summary, while many states allow teachers to carry firearms, they often require permission from school officials, districts, or specific programs, ensuring that policies are tailored to local needs and regulations.


Armed Teachers Can Save Lives


While some educators may not feel comfortable carrying a firearm, many others embrace the responsibility of protecting their students. With proper training, armed teachers and school staff can reduce their vulnerability to active shooters, gain greater control over critical situations, and respond more quickly in the event of an emergency. As demonstrated by previous school shooting tragedies, law enforcement often takes several minutes to arrive and formulate a response plan. These crucial minutes can make all the difference in minimizing casualties and, in some cases, stopping the perpetrator before further harm is done.

There are also numerous examples of armed staff successfully intervening to stop or prevent shootings. For instance, during the 1997 shooting at Pearl High School in Mississippi, assistant principal Joel Myrick retrieved a handgun from his car and subdued the shooter, preventing further bloodshed. Similarly, the 2017 incident at Sullivan Central High School in Tennessee ended in a standoff between the gunman and a school resource officer, with no shots fired by the shooter. The quick actions of these responsible, armed staff members helped save countless lives that day.


Will Your State Be Next?


Over half of U.S. states have laws that allow teachers, administrators, and staff to carry firearms for self-defense, in some form. Could your state be next to adopt similar measures? Consider reaching out to your state legislators to express your support, and raise awareness by writing opinion pieces in your local newspapers. Advocacy at the community level can play a significant role in shaping policy.

As laws continue to evolve, it’s important to stay informed about gun laws in your state. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse, and knowledge can empower you to advocate effectively for changes that could protect lives.


What questions do you have about state gun laws?


Feel free to share them in the comments below—we're here to help!

 
 
 

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