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Broward County Superintendent Doesn't Want Armed Teachers

The Broward County Public Schools superintendent doesn't want teachers in his schools to be armed.
Posted at 4:30 PM, Feb 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-28 16:30:32-05

As students in Florida return to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for the first time since the Feb. 14 shooting, a top administrator is reinforcing his opinion not to arm teachers.

"When we think about what we need to be arming teachers with, I always say we need to be arming them with greater compensation, better benefits and working conditions. That's what we need to look at, not putting guns on their hips. ... Money in their pockets is what they need," said Robert Runcie, Broward County Public Schools superintendent.

This is not the first time Runcie has said he's not in favor of arming teachers. He was vocal about the issue at CNN's Feb. 21 town hall on gun issues.

President Donald Trump has argued arming some teachers with guns could prevent future school shootings — even suggesting giving bonuses to "highly adept" teachers who could carry a gun.

And Florida lawmakers advanced a controversial bill that would let trained teachers carry a firearm if the school district OKs it.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.