No concealed carry in Lawrence schools
Teachers and staff in the Lawrence school district will not be allowed to carry firearms on school property, even if they have a concealed permit.
That was the word from school board president Vanessa Sanburn who said the district would not change its weapons policy, despite passage of a new state law that would allow teachers and other employees with permits to carry firearms.
On April 16, Gov. Sam Brownback signed HB 2052 which, among other things, requires municipal governments to allow people with permits to carry concealed weapons into public buildings, unless those buildings have metal detectors or other security measures to prevent anyone from bringing weapons inside.
The law is mandatory for city, county and state buildings (except the Statehouse itself). Public schools are not required to allow concealed carry, but school districts may allow licensed employees to carry concealed handguns if they choose to do so.
After four years, the law will also apply to university buildings.
Sanburn said during Monday’s board meeting that she had received several phone calls and emails from people asking whether teachers in Lawrence would be allowed to carry concealed weapons.
She said the board had no intention of changing its current policy, which prohibits anyone other than a law enforcement officer to possess a weapon, “in or on any school property, school grounds, or any district building or structure used for student instruction or attendance or extracurricular activities of pupils, or at any regularly scheduled school sponsored activity or event.”
That prohibition includes concealed weapons, even if the person has a legal permit.