Arkansas school district training more than 20 teacher, staff as armed security guards
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}When fall classes start in one Arkansas school district, more than 20 district employees will be walking the hallways carrying concealed weapons, making use of a little-known Arkansas law that allows licensed, armed security guards on campus.
After undergoing 53 hours of training, the teachers, administrators and other employees will be considered guards.
Clarksville, a community of 9,200 people about 100 miles northwest of Little Rock, isn't known for having dangerous schools. But Superintendent David Hopkins said he faced a flood of calls from parents worried about safety after the attack last year at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}State officials aren't blocking Clarksville's plan, but Arkansas Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell is opposed to the idea of arming teachers and staff. He prefers to hire law enforcement officers.