Trump says it's 'up to States' to decide whether to arm teachers in schools

Associated Press/Carolyn Kaster

President Donald Trump hosts a listening session with high school students, teachers and parents in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018.

• President Donald Trump said Saturday that it's "Up to States" whether schoolteachers should be armed to defend students against active shooters.
• Trump floated the proposal after a high-school shooting killed 17 students and staff in Florida last week.
• He said certain "gun-adept" teachers could carry concealed firearms, and suggested giving bonuses to educators who volunteer to carry weapons.

President Donald Trump says arming teachers as a deterrent against school shootings is "Up to States."

"Armed Educators (and trusted people who work within a school) love our students and will protect them," he said Saturday on Twitter. "Very smart people. Must be firearms adept & have annual training. Should get yearly bonus. Shootings will not happen again - a big & very inexpensive deterrent. Up to States."

Trump has promoted the idea of putting "gun-adept" teachers and staff in schools with concealed firearms to protect students after this month's shooting at a Florida high school killed 17 people.

But neither Trump nor the White House has said who would pay to train them. Trump has also called for giving bonuses to educators who volunteer to carry a firearm.

The proposal to arm certain teachers has been widely panned by lawmakers from both parties, teachers, and many of the Florida shooting survivors.

Trump has also said he backs several legislative changes in the wake of the Florida shooting, including strengthening background checks for prospective gun buyers, emphasizing mental-health treatment, and barring those under 21 from buying rifles.