The Ohio Senate Wednesday passed House Bill 99, which will allow teachers and school staff to carry firearms in schools, with 23 votes in favor and nine against.

If House Bill 99 becomes law, Ohio districts will have the discretion to decide whether or not teachers and school staff in their district can be armed in schools. However, this bill has been controversial due to its limited requirements for firearms training compared to Ohio police, who are required to complete over 700 hours of police training. The bill will require school staff to complete an initial training that “shall not exceed” 24 hours, in practice meaning “twenty hours of handgun training and five hours of training in the use of other firearms, if any other firearm is to be used.” Schools could require more training should they wish to.

As the Senate made changes to the bill, it will now be sent back to the House before it reaches Governor Mike DeWine. If the House makes further changes to the bill, it will be sent back to the Senate for approval.