A bill considered by the Vermont House Education committee on Wednesday would criminalize possession of a firearm anywhere on school property.

A bill considered by the Vermont House Education committee on Wednesday would criminalize possession of a firearm anywhere on school property. H.314 would “prohibit firearms and deadly weapons in schools and on school property, except by law enforcement officers or with the approval of the school board, superintendent or principal.” Language in the bill aims to expand current law that already criminalizes possession of guns and dangerous weapons inside a school or school bus. Under current state law, guns are not prohibited on school property outside the school building unless there is a showing of intent to use that weapon for harm. The proposed bill would remove the intent criterion and make it a crime to have a gun on school property.