Colorado’s Senate Bill 5, sponsored by state Senate Majority Leader Chris Holbert, will create training programs for principals, teachers, and school staff members who choose to conceal carry on the job.

This bill has no bearing on whether or not teachers and staff can carry firearms inside schools. Holbert told The Denver Post that currently there are at least 25 out of Colorado’s 178 school districts that use school personnel with concealed-carry permits to provide security for their schools. Senate Bill 5 simply offers them handgun training.

“I understand some people say we don’t need more guns in school,” Holbert said Friday on the Senate floor. “But that’s not Senate Bill 5, that’s already law…The question is how much training should be required.”

Fleming School Superintendent Steve McCracken said all who have concealed weapons permits and volunteer for the duty must undergo an initial 46 hours of training – including live fire training plus yearly training – and undergo a psychological examination. The cost of this training totals $3,000.00. In addition, the district also has to spend an unknown amount of money to buy firearms and ammunition; however, according to McCracken, it still makes more financial sense to that, rather than trying to hire an outside security officer to protect the school.

Democrats however take an opposing view. “Make no mistake, this bill would increase the flow of guns onto K-12 campuses,” said state Sen. Daniel Kagan, a Democrat from Cherry Hills Village.

“I think more guns in schools does not make children safer,” said Sen. Matt Jones, D-Louisville.

Republicans continue to laud this as the best on-campus solution to an active shooter situation.

It will be interesting to follow the future developments of this bill. Second Amendment proponents, take note: If Colorado Senate Bill 5 becomes law, we may see similar bills sprouting up around the country.