Okay Public Schools looks to deter violence with signs, guns

OKAY, Okla. (AP) – A rural school district in Wagoner County has erected signs on campus this week informing visitors that some staff members may use a gun if necessary to protect students.

The Tulsa World reports that the signs follow a gun policy that was approved by the Okay Public Schools board last August.

Superintendent Charles McMahan says the policy allows administrators who meet state and school board criteria to bring a gun on campus if it is concealed on their person or kept in a locked box.

Okay established this policy after an Oklahoma bill allowing certain people to carry handguns on public school property was signed into law last May.

McMahan estimates that fewer than 5 percent of district employees are armed.