Many people in Denver are still coming to terms with the traumatic and frightening shooting that took so many children’s lives at Sandyhook Elementary, and this has renewed a long-running debate on gun ownership, restrictions and whether guns should be carried by teachers. There are some people who believe that if teachers and other school staff are properly trained and armed, they may be able to vastly reduce the number of fatalities in future school shootings.
So, in some states, there are school districts that are allowing staff members to carry guns with them. Of course, these staff members must be trained and, if a staff member is injured during a district-sponsored training, he or she is likely eligible for workers’ compensation. And, that is exactly what happened to a school maintenance worker who was recently shot at a gun training.
A school staff person was working with a trainer when his weapon became jammed. The trainer cleared the gun, but when the staff person fired, the bullet ricocheted and hit the employee in the leg. He was rushed to the hospital and is fair condition, but that does not mean that he won’t be missing work. In addition, being shot could have some long-term effects on his ability to do his job in the future.
If this kind of accident were to happen in Colorado, it is very likely that the maintenance worker would be eligible for workers’ compensation. Even though the accident was no one’s fault, employees who are injured at work or during work-sponsored activities can apply for workers’ compensation benefits. This is one more thing to consider if the Colorado legislature wants to allow school employees to be able to carry guns.
Source: USA Today, “Texas school worker shot in handgun training session,” Doug Stanglin, Feb. 28, 2013
If you would like to learn more about this story, please visit our source above. If you would like to find out more about Denver no-fault work injuries, however, you should visit our website.
