Paul promotes idea of arming school staff

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Rand Paul says allowing principals and teachers to be armed could be an effective preventive measure to make schools safer.

The Kentucky Republican told a civic group in Frankfort on Wednesday that he doesn't see the need to assign armed security guards to elementary schools. But he floated the idea of allowing principals and teachers who have permits to carry concealed guns to bring those weapons to school.

Afterward the speech, Paul said that schools would have to be comfortable with allowing staff to have quick access to guns. He said safety restrictions would be needed, including having the weapons be locked up in schools.

Paul said it's probably a state issue and he doesn't have plans to push for federal legislation to arm school staff.

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