- The Washington Times - Friday, March 8, 2013

South Dakota teachers are now allowed by law to carry guns in the classroom, a new law says.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed the bill on Friday, according to multiple media reports.

NPR says the “school sentinels” bill was aimed at giving school districts the authority to “create, establish and supervise the arming of school employees, hired security personnel or volunteers,” the text states.

NBC says 18 other states have laws to give school workers the right to bring weapons onto school grounds — but not to the same level of freedom as the newly passed South Dakota law. NBC says those other states all require the officials to have written permission before they bring a gun onto school property.

South Dakota’s new law states explicitly that teachers already possess this right.

Other states, meanwhile, are considering similar measures, NPR reports.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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