Arizona lawmakers renew effort to arm teachers

A bill before Arizona lawmakers this session renews a push to allow teachers to arm themselves in the classroom.

Attorney General Tom Horne and other supporters say the legislation would protect children and staff in the event of a mass shooting.

But opponents would rather have police officers assigned to schools. Arizona Education Association President Andrew Morrill considers the proposal little more than a ploy to expand gun rights.

The legislation is in its earliest stages, and it’s too early to gauge its chances of passing, but a similar proposal failed last year.