AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Attorney General Greg Abbott says Texas school districts that authorize employees to carry handguns aren’t violating state law.
The Texas Legislature last year approved a measure allowing rural districts that can’t afford police security to arm designated employees to better protect students.
In an opinion Friday, Abbott found that doing so doesn’t violate firearm bans at school sporting events or during school board meetings.
A Republican now running for governor, Abbott said state law allows schools to grant exceptions to gun bans.
His decision followed El Paso Rep. Joe Pickett’s request for clarification.
Pickett, a Democrat, noted that previous law banned weapons from school premises and school-sponsored events.
Pickett also said the state’s concealed handgun law didn’t allow license-holders to bring guns to high school sporting events and board meetings.
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