Texas School Marshal Program

by Sandy Keathley

Today, classes started for the new School Marshal Program in Texas. Pursuant to a new law, school districts may opt in (or not) to the program, which would put armed first-responders in the schools of that district. Some larger districts, like Dallas, are not participating, because they already have guards in the schools, often off-duty police officers. In some districts, police are assigned to schools for their duty. Still, that is only one person per school, and many Texas high schools are large campuses, with eight or more buildings and 4000+ students. Many elementary schools do not have such Resource Officers.

One benefit of this program is cost, in that the marshals are already school employees, and are just paid a bonus for volunteering to carry a concealed weapon as they go about their normal jobs. Each school participating could have several marshals, for much less than the cost of hiring one full-time LEO. Employees selected for the program have to already have a Concealed Handgun License, and then go through a much more rigorous training course than is normally a part of the CHL process.

The normal carry license in Texas does not require training, per se, but demonstration of a minimal skill set in loading, firing, and clearing a handgun. It is certainly not up to the level of a police officer, but is more than some states require. The Legislature did not want to make it so difficult the average citizen could not qualify, as self-defense is, after all, a Constututional right. However, it is very appropriate that school marshals have a higher level of training. Some of them will probably be veterans, which is even better.

Yes, the liberals will scream, as always, about more guns in schools. I am quite sure there are people in Connecticut who wish they had had armed first responders at Sandy Hook Elementary that day. Israel has done this for decades, and has not had a school shooting for decades. It's a hard way to learn a lesson, but I'm proud that Texas was listening.

Some people like to use the phrase "common-sense" when promoting gun control; well, there are evil and demented people out there, and this is a "common-sense" solution to the problem.

...or you could just post a sign that says "No guns allowed". We've seen how well that works.