Screenshots / YouTube, KETV NewsWatch 7, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

Nebraska students attending some of the state's smallest school districts may soon benefit from the protection of armed staff, courtesy of a measure among the more than 100 bills approved by the state legislature last week.

The provision permitting staff to carry firearms in schools and at school-related events initially encompassed all districts throughout the Cornhusker State. However, following opposition from certain areas of Nebraska, lawmakers reached a compromise, limiting the provision to districts with under 5,000 residents.

KETV 7 reports that State Senator Tom Brewer, the sponsor of the measure, clarified, “It doesn't apply to all the schools. This was designed for the rural schools where they didn't have a resource officer or law enforcement wasn't readily available.”

The measure would grant schools the option to either hire security personnel or designate a specific staff member to carry a weapon. “It can be anyone from the superintendent to the janitor,” stated Brewer.

Individuals authorized to carry firearms must undergo training.

Brewer's proposed measure became law as part of Legislative Bill 1329, an education package that received unanimous approval with a vote of 40-0 on the penultimate day of the recent legislative session.

It now awaits the signature of Republican Governor Jim Pillen.

Concerns have been raised by some regarding the absence of immediate intervention in rural districts in the event of a school shooting emergency. They fear that without the presence of someone capable of confronting the shooter, law enforcement may take 15 minutes or more to arrive at these remote locations.

Omaha Superintendent Matthew Ray expressed his comprehension of why Nebraska's measure might be applicable to less populated school districts with fewer resources. However, he conveyed his inability to perceive the necessity for such a measure within his own district, KETV reports.

“I do understand why other schools in Nebraska, who don't have access to SRO's or don't have access to immediate police response would feel a need. I don't feel the Omaha public schools needs it,” Ray said.

Fox News reports that this initiative is part of a broader endeavor by several GOP-led states to enhance gun rights or provide firearm safety training aimed at safeguarding students and staff. Similar efforts are underway in Tennessee with two measures, as well as in Iowa and New Hampshire, each with one measure.

These measures continue to advance despite objections from some individuals who speculate that expanding gun rights and access may impede rather than enhance safety efforts.

A minimum of 32 states currently permit teachers or school staff to carry firearms on school premises, with several neighboring states to Nebraska among them, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

Resist The Mainstream reported last week that the Tennessee State Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would permit teachers and staff in public schools statewide to carry concealed firearms within their classrooms.

The bill’s passage in the Senate was met with a flurry of emotions as gun-reform advocates made their opposition known.

Under Senate Bill 1325, educators would be eligible to carry concealed handguns if they meet stringent criteria, including passing a rigorous background check and completing a comprehensive training program.