Indiana Lawmakers Doing Their Best Butch and Sundance

For those among you who haven't seen the 1969 classic film, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," let me spoil the ending for you. Paul Newman and Robert Redford, in the title roles, had been chased into a shack by authorities in Bolivia after a lengthy manhunt. They were surrounded, exhausted and had nowhere else to run. Little did they know, the Bolivian Army had also gathered outside the shack where they were holed up.  The outlaws decided to come out shooting. They were sitting ducks. The end.  They had no idea how many guns awaited them in Bolivia back in 1908. In 2023 America, none of us do either. House Bill 1177 is a bill filed in the Indiana General Assembly by the state's leading cheerleader for guns, Rep. Jim Lucas. The bill is titled, "Handgun training for teachers," and that efficiently describes it. It is designed to create funding and training curriculum for teachers and certain school staff who voluntarily want to carry a handgun in the school where they work.  School districts in the state already can allow teachers and staff to carry without training. Chris Lagoni, executive director of the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association, stated in testimony that "only a couple" of districts have implemented the policy. No safety training is currently required. Possessing the gun, and any relevant training that logically would accompany it, is voluntary. Under the legislation, all of the training offered will also be voluntary. The bill primarily establishes the authority to fund the curriculum.  Connect with Michael Leppert Visit michaelleppert.com to read the full post and links to any resources or articles mentioned. Twitter @michaelleppert  Facebook at Michael Leppert