Ohio school district votes to allow teachers to carry a gun with conditions
A school board at a southwest Ohio district where a student shot and wounded two classmates has voted to allow teachers and staff to carry weapons.
WLWT-TV reports the Madison Local School District board voted unanimously Tuesday to allow employees to “defend and protect students.”
James Austin Hancock was 14 when he opened fire at Madison Junior-Senior High School in February 2016. Two students were wounded and two others were injured in the school shooting.
The new policy says staff members who wish to carry a firearm must receive written authorization from the superintendent, have a concealed carry permit and undergo active shooter training.
School district officials haven’t said when the policy will be implemented.
Hancock was charged in Butler County with attempted murder, felonious assault, inducing panic and making terrorist threats. The teen was distraught, feeling alone after a girl broke up with him, his parents wouldn’t let him run on the track team and he started abusing Adderall, a stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, for about a year.
His deposition also stated that the teen wasn’t happy with his life when he stole a gun from his great-grandmother the day before. He said he never intended what he ultimately did with it.
Hancock was sentenced to juvenile detention until he is 21.