AUGUSTA (WGME) -- A Maine lawmaker has submitted legislation that would allow qualified school district employees to carry a concealed weapon on campus.
Senator David Burns' (R - Washington County) proposal is in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, in which 20 children and six adults were killed.
The bill includes strict guidelines, including: those who wish to carry a concealed weapon must complete a firearms training course consistent with the one required for new law enforcement officers. They must also attain certification and complete an annual re-certification.
Participants must also undergo a psychological exam that is equivalent to the testing required of law enforcement employees.
Those who wish to complete the process, and qualify to carry a concealed weapon would also need approval of the local governing board, the superintendent and the principal. Those school officials and local law enforcement would be the only ones authorized to know the identity of the concealed weapons carrier.
After being submitted, Senator Burns' bill will likely go before the Maine Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs committee before it is considered by the full Legislature.
However, with a Democratic controlled Legislature, it's not clear how far the bill will go.
Related Stories
- More Local News
- National News
- International News
- Democrats say Maine gov moving out of Capitol
- Lisbon man gets 4 years for identity fraud
- Maine man gets 35 years on child porn charges
- Maine hermit's court appearance postponed
- Signs to alert Maine motorists to turtle crossings
- Portland mayor meets with immigrant businessmen
- Veto of subsidy study upheld by Maine House
- NH House rejects legalizing casino
- New warden hired at Maine State Prison
- Maine home sales jump 14 percent in April
Pump Patrol Gas Card Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a $100 Irving Oil Gift card!
No Text Zone
Help make our roads safe and you could win prizes!
WGME Top Stories
Business News
Bernanke signals Fed to maintain stimulus efforts
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Chairman Ben Bernanke is telling Congress that the U.S. job market remains weak and that it is too soon for the Federal Reserve to end its extraordinary stimulus programs.
Consumer Info
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"HANGOVER 3"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- All hangovers come to an end eventually, and so, too, "The Hangover" franchise.
Get This
SWINGERS CLUB LAWSUIT-VEGAS
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- David Cooper wants to bring a little more sin -- to Sin City.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: TEEN ONLINE FAREWELL SONG ATTRACTS MILLIONS OF VIEWS
LAKELAND, Minn. (AP) -- High school student Zach Sobiech (SOH'-bee-eck) says he wanted to be remembered as "a kid who went down fighting and didn't really lose."

