State Lawmakers Discuss Gun Bills | Video

Jessica Roose | 2/25/2013

There has been discussion nationally about whether guns should be allowed in schools after the recent tragedy in Connecticut. Now lawmakers at the state level are having the same discussion.

It`s an issue with no shortage of opinions. Some believe it can prevent more violence, while others think it can do just the opposite.

Parents send their kids to school to learn and they expect them to be safe while they are there. But recent tragedies at schools across the country have shattered that expectation for some.

"I specifically remember one father saying, `I send my kids to school and it is the law. I can`t be there to protect my kids. Please allow me, with my school board, to allow, to have somebody there that will be there to stand in the gap until law enforcement can arrive,`" said Representative Diane Larson (R) from Bismarck.

House Bill 1215 would allow school administrators to decide if they want to have someone with a concealed weapon on campus and give them the power to have that meeting behind closed doors in executive session.

"They will inform law enforcement, which is one of the benefits of this bill. But a lot of it is done without any input from parents," said Representative Lois Delmore (D) from Grand Forks.

Supporters say the meeting should be private so that someone who wants to do harm at the school would not know who might have a gun or what schools aren`t protected.

"It would be like putting a while flag up in the air. Attack us, we`re not defended," said Representative Dwight Kiefert (R) from Valley City.

Some are concerned that allowing someone to have a gun on campus could cause more harm if the unthinkable ever happened.

"Guns don`t kill people, people kill people. That`s true, but it`s not just bad people with guns that kill people. It`s good people with guns that have no idea what happens to the human psyche when the bullets start flying and children start dying and the screams start happening." said Representative Bill Amerman (D) from Forman.

The bill passed the House with 60 votes and now moves on to the Senate for consideration.

The House also passed a bill to allow guns in churches, as long as the concealed weapons permit holder gets permission from the pastor or official at the church.

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