2 States Consider Arming Teachers

In the wake of the Newtown school shooting, at least two states are considering not fewer guns but more guns: Virginia and Tennessee are considering arming their teachers.

• A Virginia state delegate is proposing a bill that would require some members of school staff to carry guns, the Washington Post reports. Robert G. Marshall's bill is in direct response to the recent rampage, and he proposed it after Gov. Bob McDonnell first brought up the idea of allowing school staff to carry concealed weapons. Under Marshall's proposed law, gun-toting employees would need to have permits and be certified in safety. Concealed carry is currently legal in Virginia, but not at schools.

• In Tennessee, State Sen. Frank Niceley plans to introduce a similar bill. His would require all schools to have at least one armed staffer, preferably a secretly-armed teacher—so that a gunman wouldn't know who was armed. The bill would also allow schools to pay to train such teachers. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam says he's open to discussing the idea in January during a planned school safety conference, Talking Points Memo reports.