Senator Eddie Lambert (R) Gonzales
An Ascension Parish lawmaker’s bill for the legislative session that starts Monday would authorize public schools to have a trained, armed protection officer on campus. The bill is in response to the school shooting incidents nationwide. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert said, under his bill, schools could have someone with a concealed firearm on hand at all times.
“This just allows school districts another option if they want to take advantage of it, even hiring off-duty police officers or having a person who’s trained in these situations to address the threat.”
Lambert said the bill would allow for off-duty LEOs to serve as school protection officers, but also would permit faculty and staff members – provided they get the necessary Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) certification annually.
“You just have to have the POST certification, the training necessary to do it. It could be off-duty sheriff’s deputies if they want.”
Under Lambert’s bill, school districts would have to notify State Police of who their protection officer is, so that LSP can maintain a statewide database. Lambert said his bill authorizes schools to do this but does not mandate they have an armed officer on location.
“It is optional for schools, each school district needs to make the decision, each school board. It generally just gives them the option to try to look at security among other things.”
Lambert’s bill will come up when the legislature convenes next week. He said he sees no good reason to oppose it.
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