Lawmakers table vote on administrators carrying guns

ATLANTA — Members of a state committee said they need more information before they decide whether to allow administrators to carry firearms inside schools. 

State lawmakers decided to table a bill that would allow school administrators to carry a firearm to protect school children.

Rep. Paul Battles (R-Cartersville) came up with the proposal.  He said after the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, he was trying to find a way to keep children safe in schools and in the classroom. 

But many lawmakers on the Public Safety and Homeland Security committee had questions about who would be responsible if a school administrator shot someone by accident or had a mental breakdown.  They also questioned if all districts be required to pick someone to carry a sidearm.

The committee decided to move the proposal to a subcommittee and vote on it next week.

WSBTV