Pennsylvania: Self-Defense Legislation to be Heard in Committee Tomorrow

Tomorrow, April 19, the Senate Education Committee will consider legislation clarifying the Pennsylvania school boards’ authority to allow school staff to carry firearms on school property.  

Current law prohibits firearms in schools, but there is an exception for a weapon that is “possessed and used in conjunction with a lawful supervised school activity or course or is possessed for other lawful purpose.”  The scope of the law regarding “other lawful purpose” is not clearly defined on whether school employees can or can’t carry in schools.

Senate Bill 383, sponsored by state Senator Donald C. White (R-41), would eliminate the ambiguity of the law and allow school staff to lawfully carry firearms on school property after receiving authorization from the school board of directors, presenting a license to carry concealed, and meeting certain firearm training requirements.  SB 383 would not mandate that schools participate; however, it gives school boards across the Keystone State the ability to establish policies and certain protocols to allow staff to carry concealed firearms.

Please contact members on the Senate Education Committee in support of SB 383!  Click the “Take Action” button to contact the committee members!