DUBLIN, Ga. — A middle Georgia school district is saying yes to guns in schools.
The Laurens County school board agreed to a program that would arm some civilian employees in schools, in response to mass shootings in schools and elsewhere nationwide.
"What I can disclose is not every employee in the school system or in a school will be authorized to carry," said Dr. Daniel Brigman, superintendent of the Laurens Co. school system. He remained mum on many of the other details, saying they would breach security protocols.
Brigman says the gun program is a work in progress, in conjunction with the county sheriff. He says school personnel who volunteer to have an accessible firearm will be given a “mental wellness assessment,” as well as a criminal background check and safety training before having a gun in a school.
"What I can assure all our parents is this is not a careless process," Brigman said. "We’re talking about the preservation of life and student safety."
Outside East Laurens Middle School, Laura Hutto applauded the move. She has three children in the school system.
"Trained teachers need to have guns," Hutto said.
But opinions clearly vary as Laurens County prepares to mix more guns into its schools.
"As a mother, there’s other security options that could be taken besides guns in the schools and letting the teachers have them," said Monica Farmer, who is the mother of two school-age children in the Laurens system.
The timing of the program remains a bit of a mystery. But when asked when he expects it to begin, Brigman answered, only half joking, "today."
