SB 886 would create the “Keep Our Schools Safe Act” and substantially expand Missouri law on school security. The bill requires each school to designate one or more school protection officers to be present on campus whenever children are present for educational purposes or extracurricular activities. Those officers could be teachers, administrators, or volunteers, including retired law enforcement officers, and would be required to complete approved training and, if carrying a firearm, hold a valid concealed carry endorsement or permit. School protection officers would be equipped with a concealed firearm and self-defense spray device, and would have authority to detain or use force under existing self-defense laws, with notification and turnover requirements if a person is detained.
The bill also creates a new tax credit for teachers, administrators, and athletic coaches employed by schools for costs incurred to purchase a firearm or an approved tactical/defensive firearms safety course. The credit would equal 100% of eligible costs up to $150 per taxpayer, beginning with tax years on or after January 1, 2026, and would be nonrefundable, carryforwardable for five years, transferable, and capped statewide at $500,000 per year. The Department of Public Safety would set course criteria and maintain a list of eligible courses, while the Department of Revenue could promulgate implementing rules. The tax credit program would sunset after six years unless reauthorized.
SB 886 would also require every school to hold a public hearing before designating school protection officers and to notify the Department of Public Safety of each designation or revocation. The department would keep a list of designated officers available to law enforcement, and identifying information collected under the bill would be exempt from public records requests. The bill further adds a mandatory annual Eddie Eagle Gunsafe firearm safety course for all students in grades prekindergarten through eight, provided by the National Rifle Association.
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is strongly supportive of armed school security and firearm safety training, framing the measure as a school safety initiative. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented legislative debate or vote history to indicate broader support or opposition. Based on the structure of the bill, it appears designed to encourage school districts and school personnel to participate in armed protection roles while also expanding firearm safety education for students.
Likely points of contention include the requirement that schools designate armed protection officers, the use of teachers and administrators in that role, the involvement of volunteers and retired law enforcement, and the mandatory NRA-sponsored student training. The bill’s firearm-related tax credit may also draw scrutiny because it uses state tax policy to subsidize gun purchases and training for school employees. Privacy provisions, public hearing requirements, and the scope of authority granted to school protection officers could also be debated by school districts, educators, parents, and gun-safety advocates.
The bill would amend sections 160.665 and 590.207 and add new section 135.1300 to Missouri law, creating a new statutory framework for armed school protection officers, related training, and a firearm-safety tax credit. It would expand who may serve as a school protection officer to include teachers, administrators, and volunteers, require school-level public hearings before designation, mandate reporting to the Department of Public Safety, and impose criminal penalties for mishandling a firearm on campus. It would also require schools to provide annual firearm safety instruction to students in grades prekindergarten through eight and establish a capped, transferable tax credit for certain school employees’ firearm and training expenses.
The bill is framed in strongly pro-school-security terms and appears intended to increase armed protection and firearm safety training in schools. Because no committee discussion or vote record was provided, there is no direct evidence of bipartisan support or organized opposition in the available materials. The text itself suggests a clear policy preference for armed deterrence and structured training as the primary response to school safety concerns.
The most notable points of contention are likely to be the arming of school personnel, the inclusion of volunteers and retired law enforcement as school protection officers, and the requirement that schools allow armed officers on campus during school and extracurricular activities. The mandatory Eddie Eagle firearm safety curriculum, which is associated with the NRA, may also be controversial. In addition, the bill’s use of a state tax credit to reimburse firearm purchases and training for teachers, administrators, and coaches could raise fiscal and policy objections from those who oppose subsidizing firearms or expanding armed roles in schools.