S.C. lawmakers to consider letting armed staffers in public schools
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - School boards could have the option to designate current employees as armed “school guardians” under new pre-filed legialstion.
The South Carolina Senate will discuss the bill when it reconvenes Jan. 14.
Bill S. 115 would allow public schools to decide if staff should have firearms stored on campus in the event of an active assailant threat. If the bill es, school boards would then have a public hearing on whether to implement the program for the 2025-2026 school year.
Woman arrested after abducted S.C. child abandoned outside for hours
Documents are providing more details about the search for a one-year-old girl in the Pee Dee late Thursday.
Sen. Brian Adams, who represents both Berkeley and Charleston counties, said he filed the bill in response to safety concerns from parents and conversations with law enforcement about retention.
“Law enforcement is struggling to keep their personnel up to where it needs to be to make sure we have an officer in every school. The first place they pull from in most large departments is specialized units, whether its detectives, narcotics, traffic or school resource officers,” Senator Brian Adams said.
An employee would be required to hold a concealed weapons permit and keep the weapon in a firearm safe, designated by school s until it is needed. The board would provide a list of acceptable firearms for use.
The person would need to prove they have no history of violence, mental health or substance abuse issues. Applicants would also go through specialized training with the Criminal Justice Academy, required by the Law Enforcement Training Council.
‘Home Improvement’ star out on bond after arrest in S.C.
Myrtle Beach police arrested Zachery Ty Bryan, who played the oldest brother Brad Taylor in the hit TV show “Home Improvement.”
Joy Brown is a parent to two young children in Charleston public schools and a member of one of the county’s school constituent boards. She said the idea would make her uncomfortable.
“It’s something that shouldn’t be taken lightly, appointing armed people into our schools. And them being appointed by people who aren’t necessarily qualified to make those decisions,” Brown said. “I don’t have a choice. I don’t make the kind of money where I can put my children in a private school.”
Brown added she would not want to “take firearms away” from people but said there needs to be more in-depth conversations around gun safety.
“I’m rarely suprised of what comes out of the state house. This, in a way it suprises me, in a way it doesn’t,” Brown said. “We have to keep our kids safe. I don’t know if it’s keeping our kids safe to randomly appoint whomever a rotating school board thinks is okay to carry a weapon.”
Murdaugh ordered to pay in lawsuit involving housekeeper death
A judge ruled against convicted murderer, fraudster and former attorney Alex Murdaugh in a civil insurance fraud case.
Berkeley County parent Dani Freeman spoke with Live5News in September about concerns for safety after the district investigated a handful of threats.
“At first I was thrilled, I was relieved because they finally listened. But then I read the bill and I couldn’t be more disappointed,” Dani Freeman said. “We want it stopped at the door. That’s why we’ve asked for metal detectors and armed guards.”
Freeman’s daughter said she would feel a mix of safe and unsafe if her teachers or other school staff became armed.
Freeman said she would be open to the idea if schools hired new employees who were already certified, and whose sole job would be to act as an “armed guard.”
Watch: Woman wins $250K on scratch-off at South Carolina gas station
Woman jumps for joy after realizing she won big prize
“Teachers have to teach, they do enough to protect our children as it is. They do all they can. They need from someone else,” Freeman said. “The possibility of dropping my kid off and never seeing her again. That’s a problem. And parents face it every day.”
Employees who fall under the school guardian title would be responsible for armed protection, public safety and first response. Under the law language, they would not be held liable for an inability to act or respond in the event of an active assailant.
The designation is voluntary and adds to the person’s existing responsibilities.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division would hold a list of employees with the school guardian title.
Compensation would be funded by the school and not state funds.
Suspect identified in S.C. bomb threat on interstate
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety said the driver of a tractor-trailer was taken into custody after a routine traffic stop led to a bomb threat Thursday on I-85.
The employee would be solely expected to take action to prevent an incident on school property. If a person fails to conceal a weapon, they would be required to leave the classroom, revoke the title of school guardian and face potential termination from employment.
The identity of an employee applying for the role would not be made public but rather discussed in an executive session.
“It’s giving them the ability to do so, it’s not a requirement, it’s not mandated. It doesn’t mean any county out of the 46 of them have to do it. They’re always concerned about kids when they go to school. They want to make sure they’re safe as possible. It would help give an extra layer,” Adams said.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
