Missouri Democrat Gov. Jay Nixon turned aside a legislative attempt to arm select teachers in schools, vetoing a bill that would have put guns in schools and saying he couldn’t support such a notion.
“[I can’t] condone putting firearms in the hands of educators who should be focused on teaching our kids,” Mr. Nixon said, explaining his veto of a bill to designate certain teachers and staffers as armed protection officials, Reuters reported.
The bill, which passed both House and Senate by margins of 111-28 and 21-7, respectively, would have mandated specific teachers and administrators to either possess a concealed carry permit or take specialized weapons training before carrying a gun into school, Reuters said.
His veto brought immediate backlash from the Republican-dominated legislature.
“This governor continues to prove he is disengaged with the legislature, is unwilling to offer any fresh ideas and vetoes good public policy,” said Republican state Sen. Tom Dempsey, Reuters reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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