Wichita KS June 19 2013 A Wichita elementary teacher facing a misdemeanor charge for carrying a concealed gun on school property is speaking out.
Dan Nagel was arrested at White Elementary last month. He says he had completed the concealed carry courses. The law does not allow concealed carry permit holders to carry weapons in school buildings.
Nagel came to the Wichita School Board meeting Monday hoping to read a statement to board members, but didn't sign up early enough and was turned away.
He read part of his speech to Eyewitness News.
"I'm not here to try and save my job, I'm here to try and save kids," says Nagel.
Kansas lawmakers passed a law this year that allows school districts to designate an employee to carry a gun. The law goes into effect July 1st.
Nagel came to the board meeting Monday because board members took up the issue of concealed carry.
Wichita has a policy in place and board members don't support changing it to allow employees to carry a weapon. No vote was taken, but the board wants the district to clarify current policies to prevent anyone other than law enforcement from carrying a firearm on school property.
Superintendent John Allison also says insurance companies that cover school districts have said they will not provide coverage to districts that allow concealed weapons.
Nagel also explained why he decided to carry a firearm.
"The reason I brought my firearm to school is the punishment I would receive would be way better than having the possibility of standing by and watching my kids be executed.
Our children can no longer be sitting ducks with bulls-eyes on their back."
Nagel says there is a petition with thousands of signatures supporting him.
Since his arrest he has been on paid administrative leave. He faces a court date in July for his misdemeanor charge.
Source- KWCH
Dan Nagel was arrested at White Elementary last month. He says he had completed the concealed carry courses. The law does not allow concealed carry permit holders to carry weapons in school buildings.
Nagel came to the Wichita School Board meeting Monday hoping to read a statement to board members, but didn't sign up early enough and was turned away.
He read part of his speech to Eyewitness News.
"I'm not here to try and save my job, I'm here to try and save kids," says Nagel.
Kansas lawmakers passed a law this year that allows school districts to designate an employee to carry a gun. The law goes into effect July 1st.
Nagel came to the board meeting Monday because board members took up the issue of concealed carry.
Wichita has a policy in place and board members don't support changing it to allow employees to carry a weapon. No vote was taken, but the board wants the district to clarify current policies to prevent anyone other than law enforcement from carrying a firearm on school property.
Superintendent John Allison also says insurance companies that cover school districts have said they will not provide coverage to districts that allow concealed weapons.
Nagel also explained why he decided to carry a firearm.
"The reason I brought my firearm to school is the punishment I would receive would be way better than having the possibility of standing by and watching my kids be executed.
Our children can no longer be sitting ducks with bulls-eyes on their back."
Nagel says there is a petition with thousands of signatures supporting him.
Since his arrest he has been on paid administrative leave. He faces a court date in July for his misdemeanor charge.
Source- KWCH