Rep. Scott says retired officers with concealed guns could help protect against school shootings

Rep. Heather Scott says she has an answer to school shootings: More retired law enforcement officers carrying concealed guns when they pick up their grandkids from school.

“Mass shootings in society seem to be on the rise, especially in the schools, as we saw this week with the heart-wrenching incident that we saw in Florida,” Scott told the House State Affairs Committee on Monday. “Because of events like this there might be a push for more security officers at our schools and colleges.”

Scott, R-Blanchard, proposed HB 565 to add three more places where retired law enforcement officers with special concealed-carry permits could carry concealed guns in Idaho: In K-12 schools, and in student dormitories or large stadiums on public college or university campuses.

That way, she said, “You can pick up your grandchild at school legally, and walk through the doors to pick up your child with your concealed weapon.”

The committee endorsed Scott’s bill on a unanimous vote; it now moves to the full House. Scott said the idea was brought to her by a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and she has support for it from the Idaho Sheriffs Association and the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association.

“Idaho law enforcement agencies are already overburdened with awesome responsibilities,” Scott said. “We never know when one of the officers will need to be the first line of defense to stop a tragic incident or when evil rears its ugly head.”