Bill aimed at arming school employees is dead - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

An attempt to override the Governor's veto of a gun bill failed in the state House of Representatives.

Franklin County Representative Johnny Mack Morrow led the effort to overturn Governor Robert Bentley's decision, but he only received 38 of the 53 votes needed.

Morrow's bill would have allowed educators to be trained as reserve deputies in order to bring guns on campus.

Governor Robert Bentley vetoed the bill Tuesday because he felt it needed more specifics on training.

The new bill includes the changes requested by Bentley.

It states each volunteer will undergo the same state regulated training as a reserve deputy or police officer.

It also exempts the state from any liability if there were to be misuse of force by the volunteers.

Morrow said he had overwhelming support in Franklin County for his bill that was aimed at improving security in schools.

Governor Bentley's office responded:

Certainly, Governor Bentley believes in protecting our children and teachers. The concern with this bill is that it does not provide adequate training guidelines for the people who would be entrusted with such an important responsibility.

Morrow said he is upset with Bentley's decision to veto his bill. He said back in January the governor told him he would pass it.

Spencer Collier with the Department of Homeland Security said the governor's veto goes well beyond the training issue.

"One, we need to take a comprehensive approach. There needs to be a statewide strategic examination of school security number one," Collier said. "And number two, we firmly believe trained law enforcement officers should be the only ones with fire arms on campus."

"If the governor was serious about that, that I hadn't referenced the code, he could've referenced the code, sent me an executive amendment, and I would've been happy to accept that," said Morrow.

He said this bill is the only way Franklin County Schools will be able to provided sufficient security for their students and staff.

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