Texas security guard left loaded gun in elementary school bathroom: report

An elementary school in the suburbs of Dallas was left shaken after a security guard left a loaded gun in a school bathroom, reported WFAA this week.

"The security guard, who is contracted by the district to work at the school, had entered the adult restroom reserved for teachers and staff and left his firearm in there, the email said," reported Paul Livengood. "Approximately 56 seconds after the guard left, a teacher entered the restroom and found the gun. The teacher instantly alerted Story Elementary administration, according to the email sent to parents."

Charles Hollis, director of operations for L&P Global Security told WFAA that the guard was immediately fired and replaced for failure to comply with company policies.

"He did take his gun belt off and hooked it on the door and took his gun out of the holster, which is a direct violation of our policy," said Hollis. "It was human error and it was just a mistake he made. And that's really the bottom line on it. But it's a mistake that can't be made."

A law passed in Texas in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde requires every school in the state to hire an armed guard.

There is little evidence to support the idea that armed security guards, or even resource officers, make schools safer, although there is evidence they increase the odds of students being arrested. Nonetheless, it is the favored solution of gun rights groups for school shootings, although internal documents made available last year show the National Rifle Association barely spent any money on its highly-touted "School Shield" program.