West Bend, WI –-(Ammoland.com)- The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), which represents over 225,000 responsibly-armed and law-abiding Americans, today is denouncing an advisory opinion from Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring to have the state’s Department of Criminal Justice Services reject Lee County Superintendent Brian Austin’s application to register as an armed special conservator of the peace. This is a designation the district hoped would permit school employees to carry firearms in schools.
“We wholeheartedly condemn the irresponsible decision made by the Attorney General of Virginia to deny a school administator’s right to protect himself and those around him,” said Tim Schmidt, Founder & President of the United States Concealed Carry Association “Responsibly armed Americans with concealed-carry permits have been the front lines of defense against evildoers because they have the necessary knowledge, training and experience to protect those around them.”
“A number of school districts across the country in states like Colorado, South Dakota, and Texas are already allowing trained school officials with concealed carry permits to bring their personal firearm to campus in an effort to ramp up school security,” Schmidt added. “Federal and state governments should be supporting those efforts and ensuring every possible option is being considered to keep our children safe, not denying them their right to protect themselves.”
Background: A Virginia school district’s effort to arm teachers and other school employees has encountered a setback after a state agency refused to endorse the district’s plan.
The Department of Criminal Justice Services rejected Lee County Superintendent Brian Austin’s application to register as an armed special conservator of the peace, a designation the district hoped would permit school employees to carry firearms on school property.
In a denial letter, the department cited an advisory opinion from state Attorney General Mark R. Herring, D, that deemed as unlawful the plan by the school system in far southwest Virginia.
About USCCA
The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) provides education, training and self-defense protection to responsible American gun owners. Headquartered in West Bend, WI, the USCCA is the largest and fastest-growing association whose sole focus is the responsibly armed American.