Georgia’s lieutenant governor says he wants to pay teachers $10,000 a year to carry guns in school.
Republican Burt Jones said Wednesday that he intends to push the measure in the state Senate during the General Assembly session that begins in January.
The proposal drew immediate criticism from teacher groups. Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators, called the idea dangerous and misguided.
“It is horrifying and appalling to me that anyone would think someone who has devoted their lives to caring for students would want to introduce a firearm into the classroom,” said Morgan.
Jones arming teachers would be voluntary for school districts and teachers and include pay for teachers to take firearms training. It’s unclear if his plan has the support of other top Georgia Republicans. The state House speaker, governor, and state school superintendent did not respond to requests for comment.
