Officials split on teacher gun class

"Having any employee in the Granite School District systematically undergo special function officer training is not currently under consideration in the district," Granite School District spokesman Randy Ripplinger said Wednesday. The Granite School District has its own police force.

Like many other districts, the Jordan School District says its policy allows employees with concealed weapons permits to bring their guns to class. However, they are acting alone.

"Any use of such weapons is outside the scope of employment, is contrary to the purposes of employment by the District and is done solely in the employee's personal capacity, not as an employee of the District," the policy states.

The Utah Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, opposes the idea of arming school employees.

In October, a West Valley City firearms instructor began offering free classes to school teachers seeking a concealed weapons permit. Clark Aposhian told the Deseret Morning News at the time that several dozen school employees had contacted him about signing up.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com