SKOWHEGAN, Maine (AP) The head of four child care centers in Maine says he wants to arm himself on his campuses, despite state regulations that prohibit him from doing so.

Jeff Johnson is head of the Children’s Center, a licensed child care facility for special needs children. He says he is seeking a waiver to state law to allow him to carry a gun, allowing him to act as an armed security guard.

The state Department of Health and Human Services denied the waiver in March, but he filed an appeal that was heard last week.

Johnson says he was certified to handle firearms in July. The board of the Children’s Center has also not yet approved Johnson’s proposal.