Multiple sources told the New York Times that the education department is zeroing on a federal education program that provides flexible funding for schools. The program doesn't explicitly prohibit states or districts from using the funds to arm teachers.
- US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is weighing whether to let states use federal funds to purchase guns for teachers, according to a New York Times report published on Wednesday.
- Current law prohibits the use of federal education money to buy firearms, but the US Department of Education could target an existing education program that provides funding to the poorest schools, and doesn't specifically prohibit firearms purchases.
- According to The Times, DeVos could use her discretion to approve of such a plan.
- Trump has suggested arming teachers may help prevent school shootings, but the idea was largely rejected throughout the US political spectrum.
US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is weighing whether to let states use federal funds to purchase guns for teachers, according to a New York Times report published on Wednesday.
Current law prohibits the use of federal education money to buy firearms, but the US Department of Education could target an existing education program that provides funding to the poorest schools, and doesn't specifically prohibit firearms purchases.
That program, known as the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant, provides funding to the nation's poorest school, with the goal of improving school conditions, in part through technology.
According to the Times, DeVos could, at her discretion, approve any state or district's plans to use the grant's funds to purchase firearms or pay for firearms training, unless Congress revises the law.
In March, the US House of Representatives passed a school safety bill which pledged $50 million a year to local school districts following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people.
The bill prohibits schools from using that money to buy firearms.
In February, President Donald Trump met with students from the Parkland High School for a "listening session," and suggested that arming teachers could help prevent future mass shootings.
"If you had a teacher … who was adept at firearms, it could very well end the attack very quickly," Trump said of the controversial idea.
In a comment to The Times, US Education Department spokesperson Liz Hill declined to comment on the reported proposal, but said: "The department is constantly considering and evaluating policy issues, particularly issues related to school safety.”