Hartzler bill would allow retired or off-duty police to carry weapons at schools

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) has introduced H.R. 2541, the Police Officers Protecting Children Act, which would allow certain off-duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed weapon on school campuses.

“This common-sense bill addresses a question on all of our minds: how do we keep our children safe?”, said Hartzler. “These dedicated men and women of law enforcement should not be barred from providing an extra layer of security for our schools just because they are off the clock or have retired from active service to their communities.”

“This legislation, if signed in to law, would turn control over to local school boards to decide how to implement the new policy, giving them the ability to tailor school security to their needs”, added Hartzler. “The federal government should not prohibit men and women with years of law enforcement training from keeping our children safe.”

The Police Officers Protecting Children Act has been referred to the House Judiciary committee for its consideration.