A Colorado state representative that survived the Columbine shooting said that arming teachers might be the key to preventing another such tragedy.
Rep. Patrick Neville introduced legislation that would eliminate gun free zones within schools, The Hill reported.
State Rep. Patrick Neville, a Republican from Castle Rock, Colo., on Monday introduced gun legislation that would allow teachers with concealed weapons permits to carry firearms in Colorado public schools.
Neville, who graduated from Columbine High School and was there on the day of the shooting in 1999, believes that arming teachers is the best way to protect students.
"This bill will allow honest law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm for protection if they choose to," Neville said. "But most importantly, it will give them the right to be equipped to defend our children from the most dangerous situations."
Neville's bill is a long shot in the Democrat-controlled Colorado House.
Gun control advocates have long been proponents of gun free zones and say they prevent shootings. Neville strongly disagrees.
Neville said that laws blocking teachers from carrying guns put students in harm's way and make them "sitting targets for criminals."
"As was the case in 1999, criminals aren't deterred by a flashy sign on the door," Neville said. "The only thing that is going to stop murderers intent on doing harm is to give good people the legal authority to carry a gun to protect themselves and our children."
"Our teachers and faculty were heroic in so many ways that day," he continued. "That's why I truly believe had some of them had the legal authority to be armed, more of my friends would still be alive today."