Alaska lawmaker wants to allow concealed carry weapons on school grounds

Alaska Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, has introduced a bill that would allow some people to carry concealed weapons on school grounds.

The Safe Schools Act would be a step toward campus safety, Hughes said.

Alaska's worst school shooting happened in 1997 when a student opened fire at Bethel Regional High School, killing another student and the principal. The bill was suggested by a retired teacher who was at the school when the shooting occurred, according to Hughes.

“If we do nothing, it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when," Hughes said. "This is a critical conversation, and it is time for critical decision-making. If we want to prevent the deaths of school children in Alaska, we need to act. If we wait to address this matter until after precious children have died, what a dreadful shame and inexcusable mistake that will be."

Superintendents and school boards in Alaska can set policy to allow concealed carry, but no schools allow it, according to Hughes. The bill sets clear guidelines for training, qualifications, and hiring personnel for concealed carry on school grounds “to trusted, stable, respected, and well-trained individuals," she said.

Hughes believes preparedness in Alaska is of critical importance given the size of the state and the harsh weather conditions that could arise. This makes every minute of response time to an active shooter in a school building a matter of life or death, she said.

“Due to distance, when law enforcement response in Alaska can take from a few minutes to a few hours, or with inclement weather in remote communities, even longer…We need well-trained individuals on-site who can respond immediately,” Hughes noted. “The Safe Schools Act is a necessary step toward protecting this and future generations from reckless harm so our young Alaskans can focus on learning and make a positive difference in our communities.”

Alaska lawmakers begin their 2024 legislative session on Tuesday.