(Leah Hogsten | Tribune by Text-Enhance"> by Text-Enhance"> by Text-Enhance">file photo) A state permit is still required to carry a concealed weapon in Utah -- requiring completion of a criminal background check and a class. That could change if gun-rights advocates in the Legislature succeed in plans to try again next year to pass a "constitutional carry" law. In this file photo, Granite School district hearing specialist instructor Kasey Hansen gets handgun training from concealed carry permit instructor Jim McCarthy
Salt Lake Tribune
The issue of whether to allow guns in schools and who should carry them has sparked debate in Utah and nationwide since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary in December. But at least one group of voices has been mostly missing: those of teachers who already carry.
No one knows exactly how many Utah teachers are packing because, as concealed-firearm permit holders, they’re not required to tell parents, school police officers or their principals.
Plus, many of those teachers fear revealing their identities would give criminals a tactical advantage or cause backlash from parents, colleagues or administrators.
The article goes on to mention that there have been incidents of gun misuse by teachers in Utah. It's not unheard.
It also mentions the possibility of the state going to "Constitutional Carry," which would of course mean lesser qualified teachers carrying.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
