NC Senate votes to let private-school teachers carry guns
North Carolina lawmakers have now approved multiple bills to allow private school teachers to carry concealed handguns on campus.
On Wednesday, the state Senate voted 29-18 to pass the Private School Security Act that sets conditions where private schools can authorize school employees and volunteers to carry handguns. Last week, the state House passed its own bill letting private schools give permission for people to carry concealed handguns on campus.
The message repeated by Republican lawmakers who backed both bills is that the legislation could save lives if a school shooter shows up.
'This isn't a mandate,' said Sen. Steve Jarvis, a Davidson County Republican and one of the primary sponsors of Senate Bill 280. 'It's a choice for schools to decide what's best. Many private schools, especially in rural areas, face long law enforcement response times, making on-site protection critical.'
Democratic senators unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill to limit who would be eligible to carry a gun on campus. The bill passed along party lines with all Republicans in support and all Democrats voting no.
'There are a number of limits that were run today that were unfortunately tabled,' said Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch, a Wake County Democrat. 'I think that a number of the colleagues in my caucus would have supported passing this bill because we care about children that are in all of our schools, private or public.'
The passage of similar bills increases the chances one will be approved this session by both chambers.
The legislation comes amid anxiety over school shootings.
There have been six K-12 school shootings resulting in injuries or death so far this year and 227 school shootings since 2018, according to a tracker maintained by Education Week.
Some lawmakers have cited the March 2023 mass shooting at a Christian private school in Nashville, Tennessee, where a former student killed three teachers and three students.
'This isn't about arming everyone,' Jarvis said. 'It's about equipping schools to deter threats while honoring parents' desire for safer schools.'
But most teachers don't want guns in schools, according to Becky Ceartas, executive director of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence. She pointed to a 2018 Elon University poll that found 78% of North Carolina teachers were against arming teachers.
Ceartas said the bills increase the risk of a tragedy from a student getting hold of a teacher's gun. She cited how in 2024 an elementary school student found a gun left in a bathroom by an employee at Faith Christian Academy in Goldsboro.
'How could they live with themselves if a private school teacher leaves their gun behind and a student handles it?' Ceartas said in an interview Wednesday with The News & Observer. 'That will be on lawmakers.'
Under Senate Bill 280, an employee or volunteer at a private school can carry a handgun on campus if:
—The person has written authorization from the school's board of trustees or the school's administrative director.
—The person has a concealed handgun permit.
—The person has completed an annual 8-hour training course on gun safety and the appropriate use of firearms.
—The school adopts and maintains written standard operating procedures regarding this topic and distributes copies to parents of students attending the school.
'Only vetted, trained individuals chosen by the school leaders can carry it,' Jarvis said. 'It's local control, trusting schools and parents.'
Republicans tabled several amendments from Democrats on Wednesday.
An amendment to limit the ability to carry guns on campus to retired and current law enforcement officers and retired military members who were honorably discharged was tabled.
'I think that that is an extremely reasonable ask of this chamber to make sure that individuals actually who are trained to use guns can actually be there to protect the youngest and most vulnerable in our communities,' Batch said.
An amendment to say private school employees would not be required to get a concealed carry permit as a condition of employment was rejected with no discussion.
'I think that we agree not everyone is comfortable with using a weapon, and particularly in a situation where they would be protecting our children,' said Sen. Val Applewhite, a Cumberland County Democrat.
An amendment holding a person 'strictly liable' for injuries caused by firing a gun in school was also tabled.
'The good guy with the gun is responsible, doesn't leave it in the bathroom, doesn't leave it in his desk, doesn't let somebody else get a hold of it, and when they shoot it, they're sure of where they're shooting,' said Sen. Terence Everitt, a Granville County Democrat.
___
© 2025 The Charlotte Observer.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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