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Gainesville School Board Approves Rifles for School Resource Officers

December 19th, 2013

The Gainesville School Board approved a plan Monday that will allow school resource officers at three of its schools to access long-range rifles.

As a result of the approval, long-range rifles at three district schools will soon be locked in safes in the offices of school resource officers. The officers are trained police officers who already carry a handgun and have a rifle in their vehicles. The plan was put forward by the city’s police department. In September, Gainesville police corporal Kevin Holbrook said having rifles inside school walls will give officers easier access to them during a school shooting.

“If we could handle that situation immediately and take care of that threat then we can save lives and potentially keep that adversary from taking more lives.”

Gainesville School Superintendent Merrianne Dyer says she’s supportive of the board making an informed decision.

“There may be a deterrent factor in that people know the capability is there.”

But Dyer says the issue is complex.

“My reservations are in anybody thinking this is helping solve the problem. The base answer in the tragedies we’ve had I think lies in prevention with individuals. It’s really mental health issues.”

The approval came after board members received input and support from several school governance councils. School Board member Willie Mitchell voted against the proposal.