A bill in the North Carolina Senate would give allow authorized private school personnel with concealed carry permits to carry fire firearms on school grounds. Senate Bill 280, the “Private School Security Act,” was voted through the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
Supporters say the bill aims to address growing concerns about safety in private and religious schools across the state.
“This bill simply strengthens the safety in North Carolina’s private schools while respecting the unique needs of our communities,” said state Sen. Steve Jarvis, R-Davidson, the measure’s primary sponsor.
Under SB 280, employees or volunteers with concealed carry permits may carry firearms, but only with explicit authorization from the private school board or administration director. Stringent requirements include mandatory annual training that exceeds current concealed carry standards, focusing on safety and appropriate firearm use.
Schools would also need to adopt clear written procedures that outline concealed carry policies and share these guidelines with parents annually. The bill also addresses facilities that serve as both schools and places of worship, allowing individuals to carry concealed weapons during events such as funerals or wedding services.
“This legislation empowers private school leaders to make decisions that reflect their community’s values. It carefully balances safety with individual rights while ensuring robust oversight,” said Jarvis.
The push for SB 280 comes in the wake of increased threats against Christian and private schools, particularly after the tragic Nashville school shooting in March 2023, where six individuals, including three children, were killed.
During the committee meeting, a number of private education and religious leaders voiced support for SB 280.
Rev. Mark Creech, head of government relations for the advocacy group Return America, emphasized the vulnerability of private and Christian schools. “Our children are vulnerable. Many private schools lack both the means and legal authority to act. God forbid the day comes when a deranged individual targets a campus with violent intent. SB 280 gives these schools the freedom to protect their students, reducing the likelihood of becoming a soft target,” Creech said.
Ron Baity, founder of Return America and a pastor from Winston-Salem, echoed similar concerns. “Every day, we’re horrified and worried because we have no legal recourse to protect our staff or students. If a shooter comes onto the property, we’re defenseless. This bill would allow us to ensure the safety of our precious staff and students,” Baity said.
Dr. Joe Haas, who represents the North Carolina Christian School Association, highlighted the disparity between public and private school security. “Public schools often have resource officers, but private schools do not. This bill provides an opportunity for private schools to take necessary safety steps to protect their students,” Haas said.
SB 280 met with some criticism from Democratic lawmakers and anti-gun advocacy groups during the committee meeting.
Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch, D-Wake, expressed concerns regarding background checks, suggesting that the bill should address potential loopholes. Specifically, Batch proposed including a provision to check the “responsible individuals list,” a private database maintained by Child Protective Services. This list identifies individuals who have been substantiated for severe child abuse or neglect, but who may not have criminal convictions.
“A person substantiated for severely neglecting or abusing a child should not be allowed to carry a concealed weapon on a campus with children. I would support the bill with an amendment to address this concern,” Batch said.
Advocacy groups like Moms Demand Action have also voiced concerns about adding firearms to school environments. “Adding more guns creates an undue burden on teachers and increases the likelihood of casualties during incidents of violence. There’s no evidence that arming school staff improves safety,” said Amanda Learman, a volunteer with the organization and substitute teacher.
The post Bill would allow private school personnel to carry firearms on campus first appeared on Carolina Journal.