As Texas teachers prepare for their classrooms to fill with students, a tiny school district near the Texas-Oklahoma border sparked a nationwide debate.

The Harrold ISD is allowing teachers to carry concealed handguns in elementary and secondary schools so long as teachers have concealed handun licenses.

''Let me cover it here, I think a person oughta be able to carry their weapons anywhere in this state if they are licensed and they have gone through the training," Governor Rick Perry said last year when asked about having guns on campuses. On Monday, he signaled support for Harrold ISD's move.

State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, thinks lawmakers should take action to prevent more school districts from implementing Harrold ISD's policy.

"It creates a dangerous environment, it sends a bad message to the kids, and schools should be focusing on education," said Rodriguez. "I think the legislature should address this and settle this issue once and for all -- and basically say there's gonna be no guns in school."

Teachers in Austin say they'd rather not carry guns into the classroom.

"I hope they can find something that is safer in terms of protection," said Kelly Freide, a sixth grade teacher in the Austin Independent School District.