A Pennsylvania teachers union has filed suit seeking to overturn a new policy that allows teachers and other employees to carry firearms in school.
The Tamaqua Area School District was the first in the state to enact a policy arming teachers. The policy, approved in September, says teachers, administrators and other employees can carry district-issued guns after firearms training. These firearms would be stored on school premises.
The policy also establishes guidelines for the use of force and defines multiple situation-specific options for the discharge of firearms.
In the suit filed Tuesday in Schuylkill County Court, the Tamaqua teacher's union states that the policy violates the Pennsylvania School Code, and that any guns should be carried by school police officers.
A number of parents protested the policy and presented alternative proposals at a recent board meeting.
President Larry Wittig told The Philadelphia Inquirer Wednesday that the board may consider implementing an active shooter alert program, and minor changes to the policy. However, he said, they have no plans to eliminate it.
