SCHOOL SELF-DEFENSE ACT.

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View NCGA Bill Details2021
House Bill 579 (Public) Filed Wednesday, April 14, 2021
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY OR STAFF OF A SCHOOL TO CARRY A HANDGUN ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS TO RESPOND TO ACTS OF VIOLENCE OR AN IMMINENT THREAT OF VIOLENCE.
Intro. by Pittman, Brody, Kidwell.

Status: Ref to the Com on Education - K-12, if favorable, Judiciary 3, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (Apr 19 2021)
H 579

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 14 2021 - View Summary

    Amends GS 14-269.2, which prohibits weapons on campus or other educational property. Adds to the exceptions from the prohibition a volunteer school faculty guardian, defined as a person who (1) is a member of the faculty or staff of a school, (2) is a full-time or part-time employee, and (3) possesses a valid concealed handgun permit issued to the person in accordance with Article 54B of GS Chapter 14. Specifies that the volunteer school faculty guardian exception only applies while the person is on the grounds of the school the person is employed by or assigned to, and the person: (1) successfully completes 16 hours of active shooter training in the School Faculty Guardian program developed and administered by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission (Commission), (2) annually submits to the school chief administrator written notice that the person continues to possess a valid concealed handgun permit, (3) annual provides evidence satisfactory to the school chief administrator that the person has demonstrated proficiency with the type of handgun and handgun retention system used, (4) only possesses the handgun during the conduct of his or her duties when on school grounds, (5) keeps the handgun concealed at all times while on school grounds except when responding to violence or an imminent threat of violence (defines violence to mean physical injury that a reasonable person would conclude could lead to permanent injury or death), and (6) submits to annual drug testing. Authorizes the governing body or entity of a school to opt out and instead prohibit a person from possessing a handgun on the grounds of the school(s) under its control. 

    Amends GS 17C-6, adding to the duties of the Commission the duty to establish and administer the School Faculty Guardian program that provides active shooter training to volunteer school faculty guardians.