School districts across Ohio will be able to authorize teachers, principals and other staff to carry firearms into classrooms this fall after only 24 hours of training now that Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 99 on June 13.  Previously 700 hours of training were required.  The 24 hour training includes four scenario-based training hours, plus a maximum of 20 hours for first aid training, history of school shootings and reunification education. It includes only 2 hours of hands- on training with a gun.

 House Bill 99 does not require school staff to carry firearms but instead allows local boards of education to decide whether they want staff to carry firearms at all and how much training will be required.

Opponents of the bill include the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, the Ohio Federation of Teachers and the League of Women Voters of Ohio.  During the hearings for the bill, opponents greatly outnumbered the supporters.

The signing came the same day Ohio’s new constitutional carry law took effect.