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United States Education Secretary Betsy Devos is considering allowing school districts to use federal money to buy guns for teachers, according to a report in the New York Times.
The issue has been at the forefront in Washington since a gunman killed 17 people at a school in Parkland, Fla.
Currently, the law prohibits the use of federal funds to purchase firearms. But the Department of Education may have found a way around that.
According to the New York Times, the department is focusing on “the student support and academic enrichment grants.”
It’s a federal education law that does not explicitly prohibit the purchase of firearms through federal funds.
The newspaper is reporting that Education Secretary Betsy Devos has the power to approve such a measure. It would give districts the option of using federal money to arm teachers and administrators.
A spokeswoman for the Education Department would not specifically address the issue, saying they don’t comment on “hypothetical situations.”
Online, it’s a trending topic.
“This is ridiculous. Many schools are overcrowded and many lack books for students. Why not install metal detectors?” tweeted Kristi C.
Joe the Dissident agreed with the idea and wrote, “We need good guys with guns in schools. End of story.”
“Hey, Betsy Devos, why don’t you take the gun money you’re mulling over and consider using it for school supplies so teachers don’t have to buy them out of pocket,” Evan Abood wrote.
President Donald Trump has previously expressed his support for arming school staff with military or special training experience.