Schools can provide additional training if they wish,DeWine said.
Before announcing the bill signing on Monday,New York time,the governor outlined several other school safety measures he and lawmakers have promoted,including $US100 million ($144 million) for school security upgrades in schools and $US5 million for upgrades at colleges.
The state is also adding 28 employees to the school safety centre to work with districts on safety issues and to provide training under the new law. Ohio has also provided $US1.2 billion in wellness funding for schools to address mental health and other issues,the governor said.
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The new law “is giving schools an option,based on their particular circumstances,to make the best decision they can make with the best information they have,” DeWine said.
The governor said his preference remains that school districts hire armed school resource officers,but said the law is another tool for districts that want to protect children. He emphasised that it’s optional,not a requirement.
Several big-city Ohio mayors — all Democrats — joined together on Monday afternoon to criticise the measure andfailure of Republican lawmakers to consider any gun control proposals. The mayors are seeking universal background checks,red flag laws to take firearms away from anyone who is perceived a threat,raising the legal age for gun purchases to 21,and a ban on assault rifles like the kind used in theUvalde,Texas,school shooting that killed 19 elementary students and two teachers.