NASHUA – The Nashua Teachers Union is “completely opposed” to arming teachers or staff, according to NTU president Adam Marcoux.

“Arm us with pencils, not pistols,” he said in a statement.

When a former student opened fire on his classmates at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, killing 17 and injuring others, it led to a national conversation on gun control and school safety. There has been a lack of cohesion in these arguments, with some pushing for completely gun-free schools and stricter gun laws and others advocating for armed teachers.

“Even with the outpouring of opposition from teachers, staff, students, parents and union leadership across the country, the push continues,” Marcoux said.

Wednesday, the New Hampshire Senate rejected an attempt to allow

local communities to ban guns in schools.

The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act bans weapons within 1,000 feet of a school, but New Hampshire law gives the state Legislature the sole authority to regulate guns, creating some confusion, according to a report from The Associated Press.

Last month, the Senate voted against a bill that would have given local school boards the explicit power to prohibit guns in designated safe school zones.

Gov. Chris Sununu appointed a School Safety Preparedness Task Force earlier this month to look at ways to increase security in schools, including the possibility of arming teachers.

However, the NTU voted unanimously this week not to support

arming staff.

“Can you imagine sitting at calendar time or doing a read aloud, sitting next to students, with a loaded gun? We came into education to teach and help students, not be armed guards,” he said, adding that he believes the teachers in the district would always try to protect students, but that asking them to carry a loaded gun is “asking too much.”

The school district, which is in the midst of budget season, is trying to find funds for two more teachers for the English Language Learners, more paraeducators and another school psychologist, among other needs.

“We don’t have the funds for more (of these resources), but we can train and arm school staff?” he asked. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

Hannah LaClaire can be reached at 594-1243 or hlaclaire@nashuatelegraph.com.