Fallin signs bill allowing school employees to be armed

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma school districts could allow teachers and staff with certain firearms training to carry handguns on school property under a bill signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.

The bill is one of 27 measures the governor signed Tuesday. It allows local school boards to designate school employees to carry a handgun on school property if they’ve attended either an armed security guard or reserve peace officer training program. Supporters say the new law provides some protection from an armed intruder, especially for rural districts.

Among other bills Fallin signed on Tuesday are ones allowing counties to assess a new $10 fee on court cases to enhance courthouse security and to allow the state Pardon and Parole Board to use electronic monitoring devices on parolees.