Prince William lawmaker: Some school employees should have handguns

Del. Marshall plans to introduce a bill that would allow some school employees to carry concealed weapons on school grounds.

RICHMOND, Va. — A northern Virginia lawmaker wants school boards in the Commonwealth to designate employees who can carry concealed handguns on school property.

The bill of Republican Del. Bob Marshall of Prince William County would require those carrying guns on school grounds to be trained and certified.   He says that mandatory training could come from either the state or the National Rifle Association.

Some gun-rights advocates have argued that school shootings such as the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School could be prevented if schools had armed personnel capable of confronting an active shooter. Eight states have passed laws since 2013 allowing teachers and school staff to carry guns, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Marshall has introduced similar legislation unsuccessfully in previous years.