INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana lawmakers moved legislation, largely on party lines, to arm K-12 teachers in Indiana.

House Bill 1177 now moves to the Indiana Senate for consideration.

The program is voluntary and would be paid for through state funds already set aside for school security. Participants would have to undergo a psychological evaluation and firearms training similar to law enforcement officers.

The idea is not new to Indiana. Several school districts in Indiana have already implemented similar programs allowing teachers and staff to be armed. Many of them have paid for those programs with grants from Homeland Security.