CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A new bill introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates aims to allow teachers and school staff in K-12 schools to carry concealed firearms on school property as designated School Protection Officers (SPOs).
House Bill 2187, sponsored by Delegate Doug Smith (R-Mercer) and co-sponsored by nine other delegates, aims to amend state law to permit teachers, administrators, and support personnel to volunteer as SPOs.
If approved, these individuals would be allowed to carry concealed firearms, stun guns, or tasers in schools after completing a state-mandated training program.
Under the bill, participation as an SPO would be voluntary, with responsibilities in addition to a staff member’s regular duties. Designated individuals would be required to maintain personal control of their weapon at all times while on school grounds.
To qualify, applicants must submit a written request to their school superintendent, along with proof of a valid concealed carry permit and completion of a Security Protection Officer Training Program (SPOTP).
This training, developed by the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, would include up to 24 hours of initial instruction and 8 hours of annual requalification training.
The coursework would cover firearms training, de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, active shooter response, trauma care, and other security-related topics.
Additionally, at least four hours of scenario-based training exercises would be required.
SPOs would also undergo annual behavioral health assessments, conducted by Regional Comprehensive Behavioral Health Centers, to ensure their suitability for the role.
Schools that already employ School Resource Officers (SROs) or Prevention Resource Officers (PROs) could still designate SPOs, but the two groups would be required to coordinate daily.
The identities of SPOs would not be made public, though the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security would maintain a database of all designated officers and provide the information to law enforcement agencies.
To support the program, the West Virginia Legislature would allocate $5,000 per county for training. However, individual SPOs would be responsible for their own firearm qualification costs, which would be capped at $50 per year.
School districts would be required to notify state officials within 30 days of appointing or revoking an SPO’s designation.
The bill has been referred to the House Education Committee.
