RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Virginia Senate committee has killed a proposal to allow school security officers to be armed with stun guns, pepper spray and similar weapons.
The Republican-controlled Education and Health Committee rejected the measure Thursday on an 8-6 vote. Two Republicans, Jeff McWaters of Virginia Beach and Thomas Garrett of Buckingham County, joined minority Democrats in voting "no."
The bill, which passed the House of Delegates last week, was introduced by Del. Mark Cole, a Spotsylvania County Republican.
Cole said he wanted school security officers to be better equipped to respond in the event of an armed intruder.
Security officers are not sworn law enforcement officers and are not allowed to be armed under current law.
Critics expressed concerns that stun guns and similar weapons could be turned against students.