By Josh Markotich
Staff Writer
Three weeks ago, North Carolina joined more than 30 states that allow the concealed carry of a handgun on school property. The distinction of the North Carolina law is that it will only be permitted for private schools.
A Republican majority in the North Carolina General Assembly overrode Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of House Bill 193, which allows that “certain employees and volunteers at nonpublic schools may carry certain weapons on educational property.” The new law provides individual schools with the option of implementation, leaving private schools in Moore County to decide whether to avail themselves of the new option.
Among the larger private schools in Moore County, only The O’Neal School in Southern Pines commented on its plan. In a prepared statement, school officials said: “At O’Neal, we partner closely with the Southern Pines Police Department and our other first responders to ensure reasonable preparedness and to help keep our campus safe. We do not believe armed faculty would improve our larger safety and security position.”
Dell Cook, head of school for Sandhills Classical Christian School in Whispering Pines, declined to detail the school’s security procedures.
“SCCS does not comment on its safety and security policies, protocols or procedures,” he said.
St. John Paul the II Catholic School in Southern Pines also declined to comment.
One goal of the bill is to give private schools the option to have armed personnel on campus without necessarily contracting with a law enforcement agency. In his original veto, Stein said he supported sworn law enforcement officers being the only personnel who could carry a concealed handgun on school campuses rather than teachers or volunteers.
“Law enforcement officers receive more than 800 hours of public safety education, including firearms training,” Stein said in his veto message. “On top of that, school resource officers receive additional training to know how to respond to crises and how to de-escalate conflicts.”
Moore County Schools is one of just two school districts in the state that has its own police force, which includes more than a dozen school resource officers across more than 20 schools. It also uses a digital security platform called Centegix to ensure safety in their schools.
“SROs are not only a visible safety presence but also trusted mentors, relationship-builders, and first responders who are prepared to handle a wide range of situations,” said district spokesman Charlie Batchelor. “Having reliable SROs on our campuses is critically important to ensuring the safety and well-being of our school communities.”
The new state law mandates anyone at a private school carrying a concealed weapon undergo an annual training session with a certified National Rifle Association instructor for a minimum of eight hours; written approval from that school’s board of directors; and a concealed handgun permit. Schools can add additional requirements, if they wish.
“ There’s risk in everything that is done. Every school would have to sit down and weigh out all of those risks,” said State Rep. Neal Jackson, whose district includes parts of Moore County. Jackson was among the lawmakers who sponsored the legislation.
“And there’s risk if you do nothing,” he said. “And there is risk if you do this. But which one is the greater risk?”
Neither the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association nor local law enforcement took a position on the legislation.
“If individual schools want to decide what to do, I’m sure they’ll consult with their legal counsel. I’m sure they’ll consult with their insurance carrier and consult with the school leadership and decide what’s appropriate for that particular school,” said Eddie Caldwell, executive vice president and general counsel at the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association.
The law will take effect Dec. 4.
