Broward Deputies to Carry Rifles on School Grounds: Sheriff - NBC 6 South Florida
Parkland School Tragedy

Parkland School Tragedy

Continuing coverage of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

Broward Deputies to Carry Rifles on School Grounds: Sheriff

"Schools as soft targets need to be fortified," sheriff says

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    NEWSLETTERS

    Broward Sheriff Scott Israel Says Deputies Will Carry Rifles on School Grounds

    Deputies will carry rifles on school ground from this point forward, Broward Sheriff Scott Israel says.

    (Published 45 minutes ago)

    Deputies will carry rifles on the grounds of local schools in Broward County in the wake of the Parkland school shooting, Broward Sheriff Scott Israel announced Wednesday.

    Israel said that only deputies who are "qualified and trained" will carry the rifles on school grounds.

    "When they are not carrying the rifle, until we look for gun locks and gun lockers, the only place when they're not slinging the rifle, that will be allowed to be stored, will be in their locked police vehicle," said Israel.

    The practice was implemented Wednesday morning, Israel said at a news conference. 

    "Schools as soft targets need to be fortified," Israel said.

    Israel said he spoke with Broward Schools Superintendent Runcie, who supported the idea.

    A reporter asked if officers will carry AR-15’s, and Israel said some would.

    The AR-15 is the weapon used in the tragic shooting that left 17 dead at Stoneman Douglas High School last Wednesday. 

    "It will be done safely," said Israel, "We need to be able to defeat any threat that comes onto campus."

    This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is made available. 

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