A bill that would allow teachers and other school personnel to carry concealed handguns is making progress in the Arizona State Legislature. On Jan. 14, 2025, the Arizona House’s Education Committee approved House Bill 2022 on a party-line vote.
HB 2022, which was introduced by State Rep. Selina Bliss (R-Prescott), would let law-abiding teachers and other school staff carry concealed firearms if they go through 40 hours of training.
Speaking before the House Education Committee on Jan. 14, seasoned pro-gun lobbyist Michael Infanzon explained the bill’s purpose:
“The whole purpose for this (bill) is the ability for educators and staff to be able to defend not only themselves but the students that they’re in charge of…”
“You’ll have to have your picture taken, so law enforcement will know who is certified.”
With Republican majorities in the State House (33-27) State Senate (17-13), the passage of HB 2022 is likely. However, the bill will likely be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. Nevertheless, HB 2022’s progress represents a growing recognition among elected officials that the current gun-free zone policies implemented nationwide have been an abject failure in keeping venues safe.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, having armed staff on campuses is not a fringe concept in United States politics. In fact, such policies are on the books in over 30 states. For example, as recently as July 2024, states like Iowa and Tennessee passed legislation to allow trained school personnel to carry firearms on the premises of public schools.
If anything, states that prohibit trained teachers from carrying firearms on school grounds are now in the minority. According to USA Today, there are 16 states — Alabama, California, Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin — that have barred teachers from carrying firearms on campus.
As long as these states maintain such bans, schools within these jurisdictions will continue to run a heightened risk of mass shooting attacks. There’s nothing magical about schools that will shield them from depraved individuals on a mission to cause harm. It’s when these venues are turned into gun-free zones that they become soft targets for mass shooters.
Placing a sign that reads “no weapons allowed” is simply not going to deter criminals hell-bent on hurting others. The uncomfortable truth most politicians don’t want to confront is that gun-free zones function as safe spaces for criminals willing to inflict large amounts of harm. According to research from pro-Second Amendment economist John Lott, 94% of mass shootings have occurred in gun-free zones across the United States. Such an alarming trend will continue if policymakers operate on the flawed assumption that gun violence can be magically legislated away.
After years of witnessing gun-free zones failing to keep people safe, it would behoove policymakers to realize these civilian disarmament zones are simply not keeping people safe. Instead, elected officials should entertain other alternatives, such as allowing armed, law-abiding individuals not affiliated with law enforcement agencies to carry in traditionally gun-free venues — something well over half the country is already doing. By extending the same logic that lets lawful individuals carry in most public spaces to venues largely under the umbrella of gun-free zones, we can increase public safety in a cost-effective manner.
In Arizona’s case, HB 2022 will likely flounder in the current legislative session. However, if the right political constellations align, namely, under a Republican trifecta, there’s a much stronger chance this bill be passed without issue. Hopefully, the momentum HB 2022 has generated thus far carries over to future legislative sessions.
About José Niño
José Niño is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. You can contact him via Facebook and X/Twitter. Subscribe to his Substack newsletter by visiting “Jose Nino Unfiltered” on Substack.com.
