OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - School districts across Oklahoma could allow teachers who undergo reserve officer training to carry weapons into classrooms under a bill approved by a House panel.

The House Public Safety Committee voted 8-3 on Wednesday to approve the bill, which now heads to the full House for a vote. Several school officials have voiced their opposition to the proposal.

The bill by Sapulpa Republican Rep. Mark McCullough would allow school teachers or administrators to attend a basic police course academy for reserve deputies provided by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training. The basic course provides about 240 hours of training.

The individual school districts would be responsible for the costs associated with the training, and McCullough says he intends to push for state funding to start the program.

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