Anti-gun groups unite to protest arming teachers in Florida schools as new bill moves forward in Tallahassee

The Parkland school shooting put Florida in the cross hairs of gun control activists in Florida as a new bill which would arm teachers (if they choose and if they are licensed) advanced in Tallahassee.

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 11-9 for a bill to revise a school safety law enacted last year after 17 people were fatally shot at a Parkland high school in February 2018.

Nikolas Cruz broke several laws, was on the radar of law enforcement and school officials, while suffering from mental illness. While that is no reason to stop the gun debate, it’s worthy of pause before a knee jerk gun grab concession as well.

Here’s the objection from FLORIDA MOMS DEMAND ACTION, STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION, EVERYTOWN:

The Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following response after the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee voted to advance SB 7030 which would expand the Guardian Program established in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act by allowing classroom teachers to be armed, possibly over the objection of local sheriffs. The bill passed despite bipartisan opposition.
“Today, our voices joined those of teachers, members of law enforcement, veterans, faith leaders and so many more as we told our lawmakers that we don’t want our teachers armed,” said Gay Valimont, volunteer leader with the Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action. “There are so many solutions in this bill that we support, and are desperately needed to protect our children. But putting guns in the hands of teachers is far too dangerous. It is my sincere hope that lawmakers will reject the idea of arming teachers and remove that from the bill, and instead move forward on the aspects of this bill that we can all agree would truly keep our schools safe.”
“Why don’t our lawmakers understand that putting more guns in our schools will not keep my friends and me safe?” said Maria Victoria, volunteer with the Florida chapter of Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Students in Florida have made it clear that we want our lawmakers to focus on policies that would actually save lives, instead of policies that would make school a more dangerous place. We’ll keep speaking out until our representatives finally listen.”
This bill would be a risky expansion to an already unpopular and dangerous program. A report from the Tampa Bay Times revealed that only a minority of school districts have chosen to implement the Guardian Program and those that did experienced problems. In fact, the Sarasota school board voted not to arm teachers even if the legislation passes. Editorials from the Gainesville Sun, Sun-Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, The Palm Beach Post and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune have opposed the idea of arming teachers. Yesterday, an article in the Miami New Times highlighted instances of Florida teachers misusing guns, indicating that arming teachers is dangerous and can lead to unintentional shootings.
Arming teachers is also unpopular with voters; a recent poll from Quinnipiac University showed that a strong majority of Florida voters oppose allowing teachers to carry guns in schools, even if they are given training. (FACT CHECK: There could be some bias in this poll since 73% of Republicans support it while 87% of Dems oppose it and men are nearly divided on the issue. While the statement may be true, the poll cited may be questionable, The Dispatch)
Research indicates that arming teachers will make children less safe. For this reason, school safety experts, teachers and law enforcement officials across the country oppose arming teachers, including the Florida Education Association. The National Association of School Resource Officers, the largest organization of school-based law enforcement officers, also opposes arming teachers.
About Everytown for Gun Safety
Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 5 million supporters and more than 350,000 donors including moms, mayors, survivors and everyday Americans who are fighting for public safety measures that can help save lives. At the core of Everytown are Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Students Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network. Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown
About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and, along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Students Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network, it is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 5 million supporters and more than 350,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand
About Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Students Demand Action is a national initiative, created by and for teens and young adults, to channel the energy and passion of high school and college-aged students into the fight against gun violence. Students Demand Action volunteers work within their schools and communities to educate their peers, register voters and demand common-sense solutions to this national crisis. Together with Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Students Demand Action volunteers are part of a network of more than 5 million supporters across the nation committed to gun violence prevention. For more information or to get involved visit www.studentsdemandaction.org.

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