TWIN FALLS, Idaho — A private armed security officer was terminated after leaving his firearm in a bathroom at I.B. Perrine Elementary School. The weapon was found by students and immediately reported to school staff.
Eva Craner, spokeswoman for the Twin Falls School District, confirmed the security officer’s dismissal, stating, “That employee will no longer be working in any district schools.” The security company contracted by the district, Eagle Eye Security, also supported the decision to terminate the guard’s employment.
Related Article: Police and Security Officers Keep Leaving Their Guns in School Bathrooms
Rantz Hanchey, owner of Eagle Eye Security, characterized the incident as a regrettable error.
“A stupid mistake is what it really is,” he told the Times-News. “Just a very bad mistake, an honest mistake, but something that we train all the time.”
According to reports, the armed security guard entered a secluded bathroom and removed his holster to adjust it. After hearing noises outside, he exited the restroom to investigate, inadvertently leaving the weapon behind.
Is It Safe to Have Armed Security Guards in Schools?
Across the country, reports have surfaced of many law enforcement officers and armed security officers inadvertently leaving their weapons unattended in school bathrooms. A report from the Giffords Law Center documented 40 incidents between 2014 and 2020 where firearms were left accessible, resulting in significant safety risks.
Related Article: 5 Considerations When Developing a Campus Public Safety Officer Firearms Program
Recent examples include a similar incident at Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language in Arlington, Texas, where a contracted security guard left a gun belt in a school bathroom, reports NBCDFW. Fortunately, no students encountered the weapon. The officer was promptly terminated.
With more states passing laws requiring schools to have armed officers, the number of officers forgetting to take their firearms with them after using the bathroom will most likely increase. The trend underscores the need for rigorous training and enforcement of appropriate firearm handling protocols.
To address this issue, experts recommend stringent policies and better training for armed personnel. Penalties for such lapses, including suspensions or terminations, can deter negligence. Firearms training expert Lt. John Weinstein suggests practical measures, such as ensuring weapons remain holstered at all times or securely placing them in locations where they are noticeable upon exiting a restroom.
