SAFETY: That won't work

A letter writer in your March 4th edition pointed out a possible solution to school safety by recruiting retired peace officers and other professionals to perform armed security at public schools. I hate to throw a wet blanket over that area, but it is against the Idaho law.

Idaho criminal code section 18-3302D prohibits bringing any firearm or any other weapon onto the property of any public or private school. The only individuals who would be exempt are active sworn Idaho law enforcement officers or other active sworn law enforcement officers.

I know of one such individual, an honorably retired peace officer and school employee, who was fined by the CDA School District last April for carrying a concealed firearm on school property. It did not matter that this person was HR-218 compliant, trained regularly, taught handgun safety and use of force to other peace officers and had carried concealed while functioning as a substitute teacher in other states.

The law is specific. Until it is changed, only the local agency SRO can be armed on school property. Maybe any forthcoming protests, walkouts, and teach-ins will force a change in the law. After all, politicians, celebrities, and sports figures are surrounded by armed and trained security professionals. I am sure there are sincere, trained individuals out there who would take up arms to protect innocent school children with their own lives.

JOHN M. JOHNSON

Post Falls