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Ohio Senate hears House approved bill to make it easier to arm teachers

A week after a school shooting in Texas that killed 19 children and two teachers, the Ohio legislature seems to be fast-tracking a bill that would make it easier to arm teachers in the classroom.

House Bill 99 would drop required training to 20 hours minimum instead of the current 728, mandated by a Supreme Court ruling last June.

The bill, which was introduced by Rep. Thomas Hall with over 40 co-sponsors, passed the House in November and had one Senate hearing in March. On Friday the bill was scheduled for amendments and a possible vote Tuesday. If approved, it could head to the governor's desk for a signature by the end of the week. Cincinnati Senator Cecil Thomas lamented the speed at which the legislation appears to be moving.

There are currently 30 gun access bills in the Legislature. In general, bills proposed by Republicans loosen restrictions, while the Democrats bills reduce access Only one of the 16 Democratic-proposed gun bills has been heard in committee, and that was more than a year ago.

A native of Chicago, naturalized citizen of Cincinnati and resident of Columbus, Alison attended Earlham College and the Ohio State University. She has equal passion for Midwest history, hockey and Slavic poetry.