West Virginia Senate OKs bill to allow veterans, retired police to provide armed security in schools

County education boards in West Virginia could contract with military veterans and retired law enforcement officers to provide armed security at K-12 public schools under a bill passed Friday by the Republican-controlled state Senate.

Republican Sen. Eric Tarr of Putnam County said the bill was brought to him by retired military officers concerned about school shootings happening across the country.

Tarr, who chairs Senate Finance, said retired officers told him that "we need people in our schools who are trained to run at a gun at an instant when it's necessary to protect our children."

The bill passed unanimously with support from the 34-member body's three Democrats. Two Republicans were absent and didn't vote.