kentucky capitol

Kentucky Governor Signs Law Requiring School Officers to Carry a Gun

The new measure, which goes into effect immediately, amends previously passed legislation meant to improve statewide school safety.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • February 25, 2020

After the bill received strong support from the Republican-held Senate and House, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, signed a school safety bill into law that implements a new requirement: all school police officers must carry a gun.

Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Republican state senator Max Wise, amends a 2019 law that called for a school resource officer in every public school in Kentucky. The law did not state whether or not that officer was required to have a firearm, The Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

“This new legislation, which goes into effect immediately, is crucial to the General Assembly’s continued efforts to protect Kentucky’s children, teachers and staff by improving the safety of our schools,” Wise said in a statement. “I am appreciative of all those who provided the necessary input and support to see this measure come to fruition.”

Beshear acknowledged concerns about the legislation and said that he would continue to develop a training curriculum for SROs that addresses the gun requirement, according to the Herald-Leader.

The requirement applies to every school campus where there are one or more school buildings rather than every school, according to the bill. While Wise cited widespread support for arming officers among school employees, some members of the Black Caucus in the Kentucky House expressed concerns of firearms being used on a student during an incident with officers.

“I’m asking that you consider children that come from a different walk,” said Rep. Charles Booker, a Democrat, during arguments on the bill in the House.

Outside of the gun requirement bill, Kentucky is also grappling with how to pay for its previous school safety legislation, which was passed last year. Beshear said that he has included enough money -- $18.2 million -- to fund the part of the bill that requires school safety upgrades.

School districts across the state would be on the hook for at least $121 million more each year to meet the requirements for the legislation, according to an estimate from the Kentucky School Boards Association.

Jim Flynn, the leader of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, said earlier this year that the Daily News that the organization is working with the Kentucky School Boards Association to push lawmakers to allocate the proper funding.

“Many superintendents are concerned about the facility improvements and having a funding stream to make those happen,” Flynn said.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Electrified Latch Retraction Locks Key Benefits for Retrofits

    Building owners and facility managers increasingly rely on electrified hardware to enhance security while meeting accessibility standards. Among these technologies, electrified or motorized latch retraction locks are especially effective for retrofit projects where existing door and frame conditions complicate upgrades. Latch retraction capable locks combine security, accessibility and code compliance benefits, making them ideal for retrofitting fire-rated and non-rated openings in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings and more. Read Now

  • How Cloud Security Solutions Are Transforming Campus Safety

    Campus administrators today face a challenging mandate: deliver stronger security across their facilities while working within tighter budget constraints. From school districts focused on student safety to hospitals protecting patients and staff, the question remains the same: how do you build security infrastructure that evolves with your needs without requiring massive capital investments? Read Now

  • Rethinking Campus Security From the Inside

    For decades, campus security strategies focused on keeping threats outside school walls. But since the tragedy at Columbine High School, data has shown that many attacks begin inside the building, often in classrooms and corridors. This shift has prompted schools to rethink security from the inside and place greater emphasis on interior elements such as classroom doors. This shift is evidenced by a new generation of classroom door systems engineered to delay inside intruders and an ASTM standard that raises the bar on how these systems must be designed to defend against attack. Read Now

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now

Most   Popular